Explore the Seven Star Crags and experience Zhaoqing in winter.

My leisure trip across Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan provinces brought me to Zhaoqing, a famous city in central-western Guangdong. I took a slow train from Dayu to Guangzhou Baiyun Station, transferred there, and arrived in Zhaoqing around 8pm. Zhaoqing has a well-developed public transportation system with frequent buses, so I quickly reached the old town. Staying in the old town allowed me to experience the vibrant city life, which was quite interesting. I've been to Zhaoqing many times before, either briefly or just passing through. The Seven Star Crags and Yuejiang Tower left a lasting impression, as did the local snack "Guozheng" (a large zongzi). On this visit to Zhaoqing, I made sure to carefully appreciate the charm of the Seven Star Crags. The Seven Star Crags are located in the middle of Star Lake. Like the West Lake in Hangzhou, the scenic area is closely connected to the city, with scenery within the city and people within the scenery, creating a harmonious blend. It's also a great place for Zhaoqing residents to relax and exercise. The seven peaks within Star Lake are arranged like the Big Dipper, hence the name "Seven Star Crags." The mountains are wondrous, the water is beautiful, and the lake and mountains complement each other. The most impressive aspect is, of course, the lake view of the Seven Star Crags. Exploring the Seven Star Crags in winter is a good choice for off-season travel, with fewer crowds and beautiful scenery. Entering from the east gate, sights such as Double Rainbow Bridge, Snow Viewing Pavilion, Wave Listening Pavilion, Inkstone Viewing Pavilion, and Waterfall Listening Pavilion all come into view. Mountains rise from the lake, caves hide within the mountains, and rivers flow through the caves, creating a picturesque scene resembling a fairyland. The highest peak of the Seven Star Crags is called "Tianzhu Peak," which is very steep and difficult to climb. A pavilion has been built on the summit. Because this mountain towers into the clouds, standing on the Star Pavilion feels like you can reach the stars in the sky, hence the name "Star Reaching Pavilion." Looking out from the pavilion, the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains evokes a sense of "looking down upon all the mountains" and "reaching for the stars and moon in the sky," creating a poetic and picturesque atmosphere. The winter lake water is like a bright mirror. A gentle breeze blows, and the clear lake water ripples as if startled by small fish, or perhaps it's just greeting the visitors! Strolling along the ten-mile-long embankment, I contemplated the passage of time and looked back at this scenic spot where mountains and water meet. Every mountain, every body of water, every plant, and every tree here is imbued with historical charm and cultural heritage. They have witnessed the thousand-year evolution of the Seven Star Crags and recorded the laughter and joy of countless visitors. With each future visit, I'm sure I'll discover even more beauty and wonder in this place.