Zhaoqing
From ChinaTravelGuide
South China (华南) » Guangdong (广东) » Zhaoqing (肇庆)
|
[edit] Overview
Zhaoqing is a small city near Guangzhou. It is famous for its fresh air and the sourrounding environment.
[edit] History
The date of Zhaoqing's founding is uncertain, but it existed as early as the Qin (221-206 B.C.) and Han (206 B.C. - 220 C.E.) Dynasties, when it was known as Gaoyao (高要). In the Sui Dynasty (581-618 C.E.), Zhaoqing became known as Duanzhou (端州) and served as an important administrative region and military base.
In C.E. 1118, Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong bestowed its current name upon the city. "Zhaoqing" means "beginning of auspiciousness".
The first evidence of westerners in Zhaoqing appears to have occurred in the late sixteenth century with the arrival of the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci in 1583. Ricci moved to the city after receiving an invitation from the governor of Zhaoqing at the time, Wang P'an, who had heard of Ricci's skill as a mathematician/cartographer. Ricci stayed there from 1583-1589 before having to leave after a new viceroy decided to expel them. It was in Zhaoqing that Ricci drew up the first ever map of the world in Chinese in 1584.
There is now a memorial plaque in Zhaoqing to commemorate his six-year stay there as well as a building set up as a 'Ricci Memorial Centre' although the building itself does not date back to the time of the priest as it was built in the 1860s.
[edit] Map
Click here to open Zhaoqing map.
[edit] Weather
Current Conditions (2010-03-11 23:00:00, local time)
|
Zhaoqing |
Temp: 57°F (14°C) |
Zhaoqing Weather Forecast
|
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
[edit] By Train
[edit] By Bus
Buses from Guangzhou leave frequently. You can catch them from Yuexuenan (越秀南) or from the bus terminal near the train stataion.
[edit] By Ship
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
Within the city, the primary form of public transportation are the 21 public bus routes.
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
[edit] Attractions
- Xinghai Lake (肇庆星湖风景名胜区)
- Qixingyan garden (七星岩) surrounding a beautiful lake. There also ar some temples and pagodas.
- Yuejianglou (阅江楼) is ancient mansion that served as the headquater of the fourth revolutionary army.
- The leaning pagoda. Not as steep as Pisa but not straight either.
