This attractive city was the home of the Italian Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci in the late 16th century, before he was summoned to Beijing by the Ming emperor, Wanli. Today, it is famous for the scenery at Qixing Yan (Seven Star Crag), 2 km to the north. Located beside a lake, the mist-covered peaks lie in the shape of the Big Bear constellation, and are thought to be fallen stars. They can be explored via a network of bridges and causeways.

The city’s sights include the Chongxi Ta, a pagoda overlooking the Xi Jiang. Built in the Ming period, it is the tallest pagoda in Guangdong. The old City Walls still stand on Jianshe Lu, while in the western suburbs, the Plum Monastery is associated with Huineng, the Sixth Chan Buddhist Patriarch.

A short bus ride northeast of the city is the forested reserve of Dinghu Mountain, which offers numerous scenic walking trails.