Dinghu Mountain, twenty kilometres northeast of the city, is the serious natural attraction of the Zhaoqing area. It is an actual protected forest rather than a landscaped scenic area: old-growth trees, genuine hiking trails, waterfalls and cold pools, and active temple complexes built into the hillside at various elevations. The reserve has been protected since the seventeenth century and contains the oldest trees in Guangdong province.
The main trail climbs through different forest zones from the subtropical valley floor to the cooler upper slopes, with the Qingyun Temple complex spread across several terraces midway up. The temples are active monasteries rather than tourist attractions; monks and worshippers outnumber visitors early in the morning. The forest is notably diverse — more than 1,700 plant species in a relatively small area — and birdwatching is good year-round. Bring proper shoes and allocate a full morning.