Maoming (茂名)

1. Introduction

Maoming City (Postal romanization: Mowming), abbreviated as Mao, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southwestern part of Guangdong. The city borders Yangjiang to the east, Yunfu and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's Wuzhou and Yulin to the north, Zhanjiang to the west, and the South China Sea to the south. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 2, Youcheng 6th Road, Maonan District.

Maoming is an important birthplace, thriving center, and inheritor of "Gaoliang Culture." During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Gaozhou Prefecture (present-day Maoming area) was a significant political, economic, and cultural center in western Guangdong.

In 1956, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China approved the construction of an oil shale plant with an annual capacity of 1 million tons of crude oil in the southern part of the former Maoming County. In 1959, Maoming City was established based on the Maoming industrial and mining area, and it was upgraded to a prefecture-level city in 1975. Known as the "Oil City of the South," Maoming is a crucial national petrochemical and energy base. Additionally, Maoming is a major agricultural city and fruit production base within Guangdong Province, leading the province in both planting area and output of lychees, longans, and bananas.

2. Origin of the Name

It is generally believed that "Maoming" was named after Pan Maoming, a local pioneer of Taoism, originating from a personal name and later evolving into a place name, with the surname becoming the name of a prefecture and the given name becoming the name of a county. According to the Maoming County Annals, Pan Maoming was born in Panpo Village, Genzi Town, Gaozhou, on the 24th day of the third lunar month in the first year of the Taixi era of the Western Jin Dynasty (290 CE). Legend has it that Pan Maoming devoted his life to serving the common people, practicing medicine to aid the world. He was indifferent to fame and fortune, disdained official titles and emoluments, and refused three summonses from the imperial court. He was not greedy for wealth, providing medical treatment and medicine free of charge, benefiting his hometown. When faced with rampant epidemics, he dedicated himself to refining elixirs, risking his life to test medicines, thereby halting the epidemics and bringing peace to the people. He was deeply revered by the people of Lingnan and also praised by the imperial court. In the 18th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (598 CE), to commend Pan Maoming's virtues and achievements, Maoming County was established in his name. In the 8th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (634 CE), Pan Prefecture was established using his surname, with its seat in Maoming County. Some scholars also believe that the term "Maoming" originated from a river named "Maoming River" (now the Jian River), and after the Song Dynasty, it became associated with the Taoist Pan Maoming, with the latter mythological interpretation increasingly becoming mainstream.

When Maoming City was first established in the 1950s, as the city's name had not yet been decided, it was temporarily called the Maoming Industrial and Mining Area after the location's Maoming County. The Urban Construction Preparatory Office of the Maoming Industrial and Mining Area proposed four candidate names: Gongguan City (named after the Gongguan mining area), Jintang City (named after the Jintang mining area), Jinyang City (combining one character each from Jintang mining area and Yangjiao mining area, with "Yang"取同音取"阳"), and Maoming City. For the sake of consistency, the leaders of Guangdong Province decided to name it "Maoming City" and changed the original Maoming County to Gaozhou County. On August 26, 1958, the Maoming Industrial and Mining Area was officially named Maoming City.

3. History

3.1 Pre-Qin to Northern and Southern Dynasties

In the late Neolithic Age, approximately 4,500 years ago, the indigenous Baiyue people thrived in the area of present-day Maoming. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the region of modern Maoming City was part of the Baiyue territory.

In the 33rd year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (214 BC), the Qin dynasty pacified the Baiyue. The Maoming area was then divided among the Xiang, Nanhai, and Guilin Commanderies, later coming under the control of the Nanyue Kingdom established by Zhao Tuo. In the 6th year of the Yuanding era of Emperor Wu of Han (111 BC), Emperor Wu of Han conquered the Nanyue Kingdom. The areas of present-day Maonan District, Dianbai District, Gaozhou City, and Huazhou City belonged to Gaoliang County of Hepu Commandery, while present-day Xinyi City belonged to Duanxi County of Cangwu Commandery.

In the 25th year of the Jian'an era of the Han dynasty (220 AD), the Eastern Wu state partitioned Hepu Commandery to establish Gaoliang Commandery. The areas of present-day Maonan District, Dianbai District, Gaozhou City, and Huazhou City were then transferred to Gaoliang Commandery. In the 7th year of the Yonghe era of the Eastern Jin dynasty (351 AD), Cangwu Commandery added new commanderies including Jinkang. Present-day Xinyi City then belonged to Duanxi County of Jinkang Commandery. Both Cangwu and Gaoliang Commanderies were under the jurisdiction of Guangzhou. In the 3rd year of the Yuanjia era of the Song dynasty of the Southern Dynasties (426 AD), Gaoliang Commandery established Luozhou County. Present-day Huazhou City was part of Luozhou County, with its administrative seat at Shicheng at the mouth of the Lingluo River (present-day Hejiang Town in Huazhou City). In the 16th year of the Yuanjia era (439 AD), Haichang Commandery was added. Present-day Dianbai District was part of Haichang Commandery, with its administrative seat at Ninghua County (within present-day Dianbai District). Around the Daming period (circa 460 AD), Gaoxing Commandery (within present-day Huazhou) was re-established but soon abolished. At this time, within the area of present-day Maoming City, Xinyi still belonged to Duanxi County of Jinkang Commandery; Huazhou belonged to Luozhou County; Maonan and Gaozhou belonged to Gaoliang County; and Dianbai County belonged to Haichang Commandery.

During the Qi dynasty, Gaoxing Commandery was re-established, and Gaoxing County was added. The administrative seats of both the commandery and county were located in present-day Huazhou City proper, under the jurisdiction of Yuezhou.

In the 1st year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty (502 AD), Duanxi County was partitioned to establish Liangde Commandery and Liangde County, under the jurisdiction of Longzhou. Between the 1st and 3rd years of the Datong era of the Liang dynasty (527-529 AD), Luozhou County was elevated to Luozhou (a prefecture), and Shilong Commandery was established. Luozhou governed Gaoxing Commandery and Shilong Commandery, with the prefectural and commandery seats at Shilong County (northeast of present-day Huazhou City, at Jiuchengling). Between the 1st and 6th years of the Zhongdatong era (529-534 AD), Gaozhou (a prefecture) was established, with its seat at Xiping (present-day Enping City). Gaoliang Commandery was partitioned, and Dianbai, Nanba, Lianjiang, and other commanderies were added. Present-day Maonan District belonged to the Nanba Commandery of Gaozhou at that time; Gaozhou City belonged to the Dianbai and Nanba Commanderies of Gaozhou and the Gaoxing Commandery of Luozhou; Dianbai District belonged to the Dianbai, Haichang, Lianjiang, and Nanba Commanderies of Gaozhou; Huazhou City belonged to the Gaoxing and Shilong Commanderies of Luozhou; and Xinyi City belonged to the Liangde Commandery of Longzhou.

The Chen dynasty maintained the Liang system. In the 2nd year of the Yongding era (558 AD), Gaoliang Commandery added Wude Commandery (northeast of present-day Gaozhou City).

3.2 Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period

In the 9th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui dynasty (589 AD), Dianbai Commandery and Haichang Commandery were abolished to establish Dianbai County; Lianjiang Commandery and Nanba Commandery were abolished to establish Lianjiang County and Nanba County; Wude Commandery was abolished to establish Liangde County. All were under the jurisdiction of Gaozhou, whose seat was at Gaoliang County (in present-day Yangjiang City). Liangde Commandery was abolished to establish Liangde County, under Longzhou. Gaoxing Commandery and Shilong Commandery were abolished to establish Shilong and Wuchuan Counties. In the 18th year of the Kaihuang era (598 AD), Maoming County was first established. Shilong, Wuchuan, and Maoming Counties were all under Luozhou, with the prefectural seat at Shilong County (present-day Huazhou City). Liangde County was renamed Huaide County. In the 3rd year of the Daye era (607 AD), Gaozhou and Luozhou were abolished, and Gaoliang Commandery was re-established. Nanba County was abolished and merged into Lianjiang County. Longzhou was abolished to establish Yongxi Commandery, with Huaide County under its jurisdiction. At this time, present-day Maonan District belonged to Lianjiang County; Huazhou City belonged to Shilong County; Xinyi City belonged to Huaide County; the rest belonged to Dianbai, Lianjiang, and Maoming Counties of Gaoliang Commandery and Liangde County of Yongxi Commandery.

In the 4th year of the Wude era of the Tang dynasty (621 AD), Gaoliang Commandery was abolished. Huaide County was partitioned to add Xinyi County and Tan'e County, under Nanfuzhou, with the seat at Xinyi County (present-day Zhenlong Town in Xinyi City). In the 5th year (622 AD), Lianjiang County was partitioned to re-establish Nanba County and add Panshui County; Xinyi County was partitioned to add Teliang County; Luozhou was re-established, with its seat at Shilong County (present-day Huazhou City), governing Shilong and ten other counties. In the 6th year of the Wude era (623 AD), Gaozhou was re-established, with its seat at Xiping County (present-day Enping), governing Dianbai, Lianjiang, Liangde, and other counties. The seat of Luozhou was moved to Shicheng (present-day Lianjiang). Luozhou was partitioned to establish Nanshizhou, with its seat at Shilong County (present-day Huazhou City), governing Shilong, Lingluo, Longhua, Bianzhou, and six other counties. In the 8th year of the Zhenguan era (634 AD), Nandangzhou was renamed Panzhou, and its seat was moved from Dingchuan County (present-day Yulin, Guangxi) to Maoming County, governing Maoming, Panshui, and Nanba Counties. In the 9th year of the Zhenguan era (635 AD), Nanshizhou was renamed Bianzhou, governing Shilong, Lingluo, and Longhua Counties. In the 23rd year of the Zhenguan era (649 AD), the seat of Gaozhou was moved from Xiping County to Liangde County (northeast of present-day Gaozhou City), governing Liangde, Dianbai, and Baoning Counties. In the 5th year of the Kaiyuan era (717 AD), the seat of Gaozhou was moved from Liangde County to Lianjiang County, and Lianjiang County was renamed Bao'an County. In the 1st year of the Tianbao era (742 AD), Gaozhou was changed to Gaoliang Commandery, Panzhou to Nanpan Commandery, Bianzhou to Lingshui Commandery, and Douzhou to Huaide Commandery. In the 2nd year of the Zhide era (757 AD), Bao'an County was renamed Baoning County. In the 1st year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), the commanderies were reverted back to prefectures. In the 11th year of the Dali era (776 AD), the seat of Gaozhou was moved from Baoning County (present-day Mata Town in Dianbai District) to Dianbai County (present-day Changpo Town in Gaozhou City). By the late Tang dynasty, Gaozhou governed Dianbai, Liangde, and Baoning Counties, with its seat at Dianbai County; Panzhou governed Maoming, Panshui, and Nanba Counties, with its seat at Maoming County; Bianzhou governed Shilong and Lingluo Counties, with its seat at Shilong County; Douzhou governed Xinyi, Huaide, Tan'e, and Teliang Counties, with its seat at Xinyi County. The area of present-day Maoming City was under the Lingnandong Circuit of the Tang dynasty. Maonan District belonged to Nanba County; Xinyi City belonged to Douzhou; Gaozhou City and Dianbai District belonged to Gaozhou and Panzhou; Huazhou City belonged to Bianzhou. In the 1st year of the Kaiping era of Later Liang of the Five Dynasties (907 AD), Maoming County was renamed Yuetang County, and in the 3rd year of the Longde era (923 AD), it reverted to its original name.

3.3 Song to Ming and Qing Dynasties

In the 5th year of the Kaibao era of the Northern Song dynasty (972 AD), Panzhou was abolished. Nanba and Panshui Counties were merged into Maoming County; Liangde and Baoning Counties were merged into Dianbai County. Both were under Gaozhou. Huaide, Tan'e, and Teliang Counties were merged into Xinyi County, under Douzhou. Luozhou was merged into Bianzhou. In the 1st year of the Taiping Xingguo era (976 AD), Xinyi County was renamed Xinyi County to avoid the name taboo of Emperor Taizong (Zhao Guangyi). In the 5th year of the Taiping Xingguo era (980 AD), Bianzhou was renamed Huazhou. In the 4th year of the Xining era (1071 AD), Douzhou was merged into Gaozhou. Gaozhou was under the Guangnan West Circuit, governing Maoming, Dianbai, and Xinyi Counties.

In the 17th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan dynasty (1280 AD), Gaozhou and Huazhou were changed to the Gaozhou Route Pacification Commission and the Huazhou Route Pacification Commission, under the Haibei Hainan Circuit of the Huguang Province. The seat of the Huazhou Route was at Shilong County (present-day Huazhou City proper). The seat of the Gaozhou Route was moved from Dianbai County to Maoming County (present-day Gaozhou City proper) in the 8th year of the Dade era (1304 AD) and moved back to Dianbai County in the 15th year of the Zhizheng era (1355 AD).

In the 1st year of the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty (1368 AD), the Gaozhou and Huazhou Routes were changed to Gaozhou Prefecture and Huazhou Prefecture. In the 7th year of the Hongwu era (1374 AD), they were downgraded to prefectural-level departments (zhou). Maoming County was abolished and merged into Gaozhou; Shilong County was abolished and merged into Huazhou. In the 9th year of the Hongwu era, Gaozhou was restored as a prefecture, and Huazhou was downgraded to Hua County. Hua County and the counties originally under Huazhou's jurisdiction were transferred to Gaozhou Prefecture. In the 14th year of the Hongwu era (1381 AD), Maoming County was re-established. Hua County was restored as Huazhou, and its originally governed counties were returned to Gaozhou Prefecture. From then on, Gaozhou Prefecture governed Maoming County, Dianbai County, Xinyi County, Huazhou, and its subordinate counties Wuchuan and Lianjiang. In the 3rd year of the Chenghua era (1467 AD), the seat of Gaozhou Prefecture was moved from Dianbai County to Maoming County, under the Guangdong Provincial Administration Commission.

In the 4th year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing dynasty (1647 AD), Gaozhou Prefecture was under the Gaoleiyang Circuit, governing Huazhou and the five counties of Maoming, Dianbai, Xinyi, Wuchuan, and Lianjiang (one department and five counties). It was the foremost of Guangdong's "Lower Four Prefectures," with its seat at Maoming County serving as a major town in western Guangdong.

3.4 Modern and Contemporary Era

In the 1st year of the Republic of China (1912 AD), Huazhou was renamed Hua County. In the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913 AD), Gaozhou Prefecture was abolished. In the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914 AD), the Gaolei Circuit was established, governing the 11 counties originally under Gaozhou Prefecture, Leizhou Prefecture, and Yangjiang Directly-Administered Department, with its seat at Maoming County. It was later renamed the Gaolei Pacification Office, Southern Administrative Commissioner's Office, and Southern Pacification Commissioner's Office.

In November of the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936 AD), the Guangdong Provincial Government dispatched the 7th District Administrative Inspector's Office to be stationed in Maoming County, governing Maoming, Xinyi, Dianbai, Hua County, Wuchuan, Lianjiang, Yangjiang, and the Meilu Management Bureau. The following year, the Southern Administrative Office was dispatched to be stationed in Maoming County, managing the 7th and 8th District Administrative Inspector's Offices.

By the end of October 1949, the four counties of Xinyi, Maoming, Dianbai, and Hua County belonged to the Southern District. In 1950, they were under the Gaolei District. In 1952, they were under the Western Guangdong Administrative Region. In 1956, they were under the Zhanjiang District.

In 1954, the Petroleum Management Bureau and the Coal Management Bureau of the Ministry of Fuel Industry successively sent geological teams to explore oil shale deposits in the southern part of Maoming County. In 1955, Li Renjun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Fuel Industry, led Soviet experts to inspect Maoming County and proposed establishing a petroleum industry there. On April 28, 1956, Premier Zhou Enlai instructed: "Approved by the Central Committee, an oil shale refinery with an annual capacity of 1 million tons of crude oil is to be built in Maoming." In May 1958, the Maoming Industrial and Mining Area City Preparatory Office was established. On August 26, Maoming Industrial and Mining Area City was established. On September 22, Gongguan Township and parts of Meihua Township and Aotou Township from the original Maoming County were placed under the administration of Maoming Industrial and Mining Area City.On March 22, 1959, the 88th Plenary Session of the State Council decided to abolish Maoming County and Xinyi County. Part of the administrative area of Maoming County was designated to establish Maoming City, while the remaining administrative area of Maoming County (excluding the part designated for Maoming City) and the administrative area of Xinyi County were merged to establish Gaozhou County. The administrative areas of Hua County and Wuchuan County were merged to establish Huazhou County. On May 9, 1959, the Maoming Industrial and Mining District City was renamed Maoming City. On April 1, 1961, Gaozhou County was divided into Gaozhou County and Xinyi County, with areas such as Guding, Magui, and Shenzhen from the original Xinyi County being allocated to Gaozhou County. On April 5, Huazhou County was divided into Huazhou County and Wuchuan County. Areas such as Longshou, Lanshi, and Gaozhan from the original Maoming County were allocated to Wuchuan County, while Nansheng was incorporated into Huazhou County. Maoming City, Xinyi County, Gaozhou County, Dianbai County, and Huazhou County were all part of the Zhanjiang Special District.

On November 22, 1975, with the approval of the State Council, Maoming City, originally part of the Zhanjiang region, was upgraded to a prefecture-level city under the direct jurisdiction of Guangdong Province. In July 1983, Maoming City implemented a city-led county system, governing Xinyi, Gaozhou, Dianbai, and Huazhou counties. On April 18, 1985, the Maonan District was established based on the original urban and suburban areas of Maoming City. In October 1992, with the approval of the Provincial People's Government, the Maoming City Shuidong Economic Development Pilot Zone was officially established on the basis of the original Nanhai Town in Dianbai County. From 1993 to 1995, Gaozhou, Huazhou, and Xinyi successively transitioned from counties to county-level cities, administered by Maoming City.

In January 2001, six towns—Yangjiao, Poxin, Qijing, Xiaoliang, Shayuan, and Nanhai—were carved out from the original Dianbai County to establish the Maogang District of Maoming City, with the district government located in Nanhai Town.

On April 26, 2012, the Guangdong Maoming Coastal New Area was inaugurated as an economic functional zone with deputy departmental-level administrative status.

In February 2014, the State Council approved the establishment of the Dianbai District of Maoming City, with the administrative areas of the original Maogang District and Dianbai County forming the administrative area of Dianbai District. It was officially inaugurated on April 18 of the same year.

4. Geography

4.1 Geology and Geomorphology

The geology of Maoming City has undergone crustal movements from the early Paleozoic eras, including the Sinian and Cambrian periods, through the late Paleozoic eras, such as the Devonian and Carboniferous periods, to the Mesozoic eras, encompassing the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. These movements have resulted in complex stratigraphic structures and fault tectonics, generating various mineral resources and shaping a topography characterized by mountains backing the sea, higher elevations in the north and lower in the south, sloping from northeast to southwest. The mountainous areas are primarily formed by the convergence of the Yunkai Mountains entering from the north, the Yunwu Mountains from the northeast, and the Goulou Mountains from the northwest, covering an area of 1,300 square kilometers, which accounts for 11.38% of the total land area. The highest point is Datian Peak, the main peak of Dawu Ridge in the Yunwu Mountains, with an elevation of 1,704 meters, making it the highest peak in western Guangdong and the second highest in Guangdong Province. The central region mainly consists of hills and plateaus, with hilly areas covering 7,518 square kilometers, accounting for 65.85% of the land area. This area features flat terrain, deep soil layers, and a mild climate. The southwestern part is a plain and plateau region, covering 2,607 square kilometers, which constitutes 22.77% of the land area.

4.2 Climate

Maoming City is located in the transitional zone between the tropics and subtropics, characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate. The city's annual average temperature ranges from 22.3°C to 23°C. The monthly average maximum temperature is between 26.5°C and 28.7°C (in July), while the monthly average minimum temperature ranges from 14°C to 16°C (in January). The accumulated temperature ≥10°C within the year is between 7,857°C and 8,413°C, lasting for 337 to 355 days, with essentially no frost. The average annual sunshine duration is between 1,939.3 and 2,161.4 hours, with a sunshine percentage of 47%. The total solar radiation ranges from 106.59 to 116.99 kilocalories per square centimeter. The rainy season is long, with annual precipitation between 1,500 and 1,800 millimeters, and rainy days ranging from 100 to 170. Hazardous weather events such as droughts, floods, strong winds, and cold spells are relatively frequent, primarily including tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, low temperatures with continuous rain, spring and autumn droughts, cold dew winds, frost, and lightning strikes. The climate varies little across the region, but due to the complex topography, the northern mountainous area exhibits distinct vertical climate characteristics, creating diverse microclimates. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |-----------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------| | Record High °C | 28.9 | 31.5 | 32.5 | 34.0 | 36.2 | 37.5 | 36.9 | 37.3 | 36.5 | 34.4 | 33.5 | 29.8 | 37.5 | | Record High °F | 84.0 | 88.7 | 90.5 | 93.2 | 97.2 | 99.5 | 98.4 | 99.1 | 97.7 | 93.9 | 92.3 | 85.6 | 99.5 | | Avg High °C | 21.2 | 21.0 | 23.8 | 27.2 | 30.2 | 31.8 | 32.4 | 32.6 | 31.9 | 30.2 | 26.9 | 23.0 | 27.7 | | Avg High °F | 70.2 | 69.8 | 74.8 | 81.0 | 86.4 | 89.2 | 90.3 | 90.7 | 89.4 | 86.4 | 80.4 | 73.4 | 81.8 | | Daily Mean °C | 16.4 | 17.1 | 20.1 | 23.8 | 26.5 | 28.1 | 28.6 | 28.5 | 27.5 | 25.4 | 21.7 | 17.7 | 23.5 | | Daily Mean °F | 61.5 | 62.8 | 68.2 | 74.8 | 79.7 | 82.6 | 83.5 | 83.3 | 81.5 | 77.7 | 71.1 | 63.9 | 74.2 | | Avg Low °C | 13.5 | 14.7 | 17.9 | 21.6 | 24.0 | 25.7 | 26.0 | 25.8 | 24.7 | 22.3 | 18.3 | 14.3 | 20.7 | | Avg Low °F | 56.3 | 58.5 | 64.2 | 70.9 | 75.2 | 78.3 | 78.8 | 78.4 | 76.5 | 72.1 | 64.9 | 57.7 | 69.3 | | Record Low °C | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 11.2 | 16.1 | 18.9 | 22.1 | 22.3 | 17.3 | 13.7 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 3.5 | | Record Low °F | 39.7 | 39.2 | 40.8 | 52.2 | 61.0 | 66.0 | 71.8 | 72.1 | 63.1 | 56.7 | 43.0 | 38.3 | 38.3 | | Avg Precipitation mm | 30.7 | 54.1 | 66.5 | 142.6 | 233.4 | 302.3 | 275.3 | 291.4 | 204.3 | 73.1 | 30.9 | 26.5 | 1,731.1 | | Average precipitation inches | 1.21 | 2.13 | 2.62 | 5.61 | 9.19 | 11.90 | 10.84 | 11.47 | 8.04 | 2.88 | 1.22 | 1.04 | 68.15 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 82 | 84 | 85 | 84 | 85 | 83 | 83 | 80 | 74 | 70 | 70 | 80 |

4.3 Hydrology

Maoming City has a mainland coastline of 182.1 kilometers, stretching from the Rudong River estuary area at the border with Yangjiang in the east to the Aonei Sea at the boundary with Zhanjiang in the west. This accounts for 4.2% of Guangdong Province's mainland coastline and 10% of western Guangdong. Among this, artificial shoreline measures 92.5 kilometers, representing 50.8% of the city's total coastline length. It is mainly distributed in Jida Port in the eastern coastal area of Maoming, Bohe Bay in the central region, and Shuidong Bay in the west, primarily consisting of agricultural and fishery embankments, seawalls, ports, and wharves. The sea area within the 40-meter isobath covers over 4,300 square kilometers. The city has 23 islands of various sizes, including 12 islands with an area greater than 500 square meters, with Dafangji Island being the largest.

The mountainous terrain of Maoming City features numerous folds, with well-developed river systems and widespread distribution of streams. The main rivers include the Jian River, Meihua River, Luo River, Huanghua River, and Xiaodong River. Except for the Huanghua River, which belongs to the Xijiang River basin, the others are part of the Jian River system. There are 40 rivers within the city with a catchment area exceeding 100 square kilometers.

5. Administrative Divisions

Maoming City administers 2 municipal districts and oversees 3 county-level cities on behalf of the higher-level government.

• Municipal Districts: Maonan District, Dianbai District
• County-level Cities: Gaozhou City, Huazhou City, Xinyi City Additionally, Maoming has established the following economic functional zones: Guangdong Maoming Binhai New Area (provincial-level, including Shuidongwan New City and the National-level Maoming High-tech Industrial Development Zone).

| Division Code | Division Name | Hanyu Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | |-------------------|---------------------|----------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------| | 440900 | Maoming City | Maoming Shi | 11,427.07 | 6,174,050 | Maonan District | 525000 | 25 | 86 | | 440902 | Maonan District | Maonán Qü | 587.78 | 1,035,411 | Chengnan Subdistrict| 525000 | 8 | 9 | | 440904 | Dianbai District| Dianbái Qü | 2,127.28 | 1,503,737 | Shuidong Subdistrict| 525400 | 5 | 19 | | 440981 | Gaozhou City | Gāozhōu Shi | 3,270.79 | 1,328,657 | Panzhou Subdistrict | 525200 | 5 | 23 | | 440982 | Huazhou City | Huazhou Shi | 2,356.52 | 1,291,668 | Jianjiang Subdistrict| 525100 | 6 | 17 | | 440983 | Xinyi City | Xinyi Shi | 3,083.59 | 1,014,577 | Dongzhen Subdistrict| 525300 | 1 | 18 |

6. Economy

Benefiting from a relatively balanced county-level economy, as of 2019, Maoming's total economic output ranked first in the eastern, western, and northern regions of Guangdong province (including county-level cities under its administration; if calculated based on municipal districts only, it ranks after Shantou). The three administered county-level cities—Gaozhou, Huazhou, and Xinyi—contributed nearly 50% of this total. Maoming is a typical agricultural city and a key production area in the province for lychees, longans, live pigs, tilapia, and prawns. The rural population accounts for over 55% of the city's total. In 2020, the city's total agricultural output value exceeded 100 billion yuan for the first time, making Maoming the first prefecture-level city in Guangdong to achieve this milestone. The petrochemical industry, led by Maoming Petrochemical Company, serves as the industrial pillar of Maoming. The county-level economies primarily rely on agriculture and handicrafts, with a relatively low degree of industrialization. As an economically underdeveloped region, Maoming still lags behind the provincial and national averages in indicators such as urbanization rate, GDP per capita, and residents' disposable income. Former Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang Yang, once described Maoming's economy as "large but not strong in agriculture, strong but not large in industry, and neither large nor strong in services."

6.1 Agriculture

Agriculture is a traditional industry in Maoming. The total output of grain, vegetables, and meat has consistently ranked among the top in Guangdong Province for many years, forming ten leading industries: grain, fruits, aquatic products, livestock, bamboo and timber, vegetables, southern medicinal herbs, sericulture, sugarcane and sugar, and oil crops. Maoming is a nationally renowned fruit production base, producing subtropical fruits such as lychees, longans, bananas, Sanhua plums, carambolas, guavas, and wampees. It is the largest tilapia industry base in China and was awarded the title "China's Tilapia Capital" by the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance in 2010. Prawn, turtle, and "Dangzai" fish farming are the main characteristic aquaculture industries in Maoming.

6.2 Industry

The six major industries in Maoming are petrochemicals, agricultural and sideline product processing, mineral resource processing, characteristic light textiles, medicine and health, and metal products and advanced equipment manufacturing. However, apart from the petrochemical industry, which evolved from oil shale development, and the traditional agricultural and sideline product processing industry, other industrial sectors have not yet achieved significant scale and remain scattered. The petrochemical industry, focused on oil refining and ethylene production, is the pillar of Maoming's industry. As a central and provincial state-owned enterprise, Sinopec Maoming Company has an annual oil refining capacity of 20 million tons and an annual ethylene production capacity of 1.1 million tons, making it one of the largest and most profitable refining and chemical enterprises in the country.

7. Transportation

7.1 Highways

Maoming is one of China's 179 national highway transportation hub cities. The main highway framework within Maoming primarily consists of the Maoming section of the Shenyang–Haikou Expressway, the Guangdong section of the Baotou–Maoming Expressway, the Yunfu–Zhanjiang section of the Shantou–Zhanjiang Expressway, the Luoding–Xinyi Expressway, the Maoming Port Expressway, the Yangchun–Xinyi Expressway, National Highways G325 and G207, the "Gaoshui First-Class Highway" which connects the two national highways, runs north-south through the entire city, and leads directly to Maoming Port, and the "Maohua First-Class Highway" which connects to Huazhou in the east-west direction. Transportation within the city's districts is facilitated by a rapid road network comprising "Six Vertical Routes (Baomao Avenue, Panzhou Avenue, Maoming Avenue, Zhongde Avenue-Industrial Avenue-Zhicheng Avenue, Provincial Highway S283, Western Expressway) and Three Horizontal Routes (the Maoming section of the Shenyang–Haikou Expressway, National Highway G228, and the Maoming section of the Guangdong Coastal Tourist Highway)". In 2020, the total length of expressways in the city reached 362.5 kilometers, and the length of ordinary national and provincial highways reached 1985.5 kilometers.

7.2 Railways

The currently planned railway network within Maoming consists of "Five Horizontal Lines (the Maoming section of the Guangzhou–Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway, the Maoming section of the Shenzhen–Maoming Railway, the Maoming section of the Maoming–Zhanjiang Railway, the Maoming section of the Guangzhou–Maoming Railway, the Maoming section of the Litang–Zhanjiang Railway) and Two Vertical Lines (the Maoming section of the Luoyang–Zhanjiang Railway, and the Railway from Maoming East Station to the Bohe Port Area)". In 2020, the total railway mileage in the city reached 319 kilometers, of which high-speed and rapid railway mileage accounted for 72 kilometers.

The Shenzhen–Maoming Railway, invested in and constructed by the Guangzhou Railway Group, is the first high-speed railway within Maoming City. It passes through Dianbai District and Maonan District within Maoming, with a designed speed of 200-250 km/h. It opened on July 1, 2018, ending the history of no EMU trains in western Guangdong, and ushering Maoming into the era of EMU trains.

From 2018 to 2021, Maoming operated the Xinyi–Maoming Intercity Railway, the first rail-based, bus-like intercity train service in western Guangdong.

7.3 Ports

Maoming Port is an important coastal port in Guangdong, a Class I open port in China, and one of the country's four major import crude oil receiving ports. It is divided into the Shuidong Port Area, the Bohe New Port Area, and the Jida Port Area. It is operated and managed by the state-owned sole proprietorship company Maoming Port Group Co., Ltd. The plan includes the construction of over 75 berths with a capacity of 10,000 tons or more, with a planned short-term throughput of 60 million tons and a long-term target of 200 million tons.

7.4 Public Transportation

Urban public transportation in Maoming is mainly operated by the state-owned Maoming Public Transport Company. Currently, there are 39 bus routes, with a starting fare of 2 yuan for the full journey.

The starting fare for urban taxis is 8 yuan for the first 2 kilometers. After exceeding 2 kilometers, the fare is 2.5 yuan per kilometer. After exceeding 6 kilometers, a 30% deadhead fee is added per kilometer. From 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM the next day, a 20% night surcharge is added per kilometer. After the initial 2 kilometers, the meter increments every 200 meters (0.5 yuan). The waiting fee (including traffic jams, etc.) is 0.5 yuan per minute.

8. Education

In May 2016, Maoming City was awarded the title of "Guangdong Provincial Strong Education City" by the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

8.1 Higher Education Institutions

| Name | Date of Establishment | Area | Governing Body | Predecessor | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology | 1954 | 2020 mu | Co-established by the People's Government of Guangdong Province, China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) | Maoming University | | Maoming Polytechnic | 2004 | 1003.79 mu | Co-established by the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province and the People's Government of Maoming City | Maoming Construction Secondary Specialized School | | Guangdong Maoming Health Vocational College | 2015 | 550 mu | The People's Government of Maoming City | Maoming Health School | | Guangdong Maoming Preschool Teachers College | 2016 | 550 mu | The People's Government of Maoming City | Gaozhou Normal School | | Guangdong Maoming Vocational College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology | 2018 | 450 mu | Co-established by the Department of Agriculture of Guangdong Province, the Department of Forestry of Guangdong Province, the Department of Water Resources of Guangdong Province, the Department of Ocean and Fisheries of Guangdong Province, and the People's Government of Maoming City | Gaozhou Agricultural School | | Guangzhou Vocational University of Science and Technology (Binhai Campus) | 2018 | 320 mu | Department of Education of Guangdong Province | |

8.2 Secondary Schools

8.2.1 Maoming City Proper

| School | Type | Year Founded | Location | Remarks | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Maoming No.1 High School | Senior High School | 1959 | Gaodi Smart City, Dianbai District | The only Guangdong Provincial Key High School, Guangdong Provincial First-Class School, and among the first batch of National Exemplary Regular High Schools in Guangdong Province within the Maoming area. | | Maoming Xianghe Middle School | Junior High School | 2013 | Hedong Area | Originally the Affiliated School of Maoming No.1 High School | | Maoming No.2 Middle School | Complete Secondary School | 1974 | Hexi Area | | | Maoming Yuyuan Middle School | Junior High School | 1999 | Hedong Area | Originally Maoming No.3 Middle School | | Maoming No.4 Middle School | Complete Secondary School | 1956 | Aotou Town, Maonan District | | | Maoming No.5 Middle School | Senior High School | 1914 | Xicheng Area | | | Maoming No.6 Middle School | Junior High School | 1949 | Meihua Town, Maonan District | | | Maoming No.7 Middle School | Junior High School | 1959 | Jintang Town, Maonan District | | | Maoming No.8 Middle School | Junior High School | 1960 | Zhengsheng Town, Maonan District | | | Maoming No.9 Middle School | Junior High School | 1969 | Gaoshan Town, Maonan District | | | Maoming No.10 Middle School | Complete Secondary School | | Guandu Area | | | Maoming No.11 Middle School | Junior High School | 1979 | Shange Town, Maonan District | | | Maoming No.16 Middle School (North Campus) | Senior High School | 1981 | Guandu Area | Originally Maoming No.12 Middle School, merged with Maoming No.16 Middle School in 2012 || Maoming Chunxiao Middle School | Junior High | 1986 | Hedong Area | Formerly Maoming No. 13 Middle School | | Maoming Boya Middle School | Junior High | 2003 | Hedong Area | Formerly Maoming No. 15 Middle School | | Maoming No. 16 Middle School South Campus | Senior High | 1978 | Hedong Area | Formerly Maoming Vocational Senior High School, merged with Maoming No. 12 Middle School in 2012 | | Maoming No. 17 Middle School East Campus | Senior High | 1961 | Hedong Area | Formerly Maoming Petrochemical No. 1 Middle School, merged with Maoming Tianjiabing Experimental Middle School in 2012 | | Maoming No. 17 Middle School West Campus | Senior High | 1998 | Hedong Area | Formerly Maoming Tianjiabing Experimental Middle School, merged with Maoming No. 17 Middle School in 2012 | | Maoming Qiyuan Middle School | Junior High | 1982 | Hexi Area | Formerly Maoming Petrochemical No. 4 Middle School and Maoming No. 19 Middle School | | Maoming Xingzhi Middle School | Junior High | 1990 | Hedong Area | Formerly Maoming Petrochemical No. 5 Middle School and Maoming No. 20 Middle School |

8.2.2 Other Districts and Counties

| School | Remarks | |--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Guangdong Gaozhou Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School, Key Middle School of Gaozhou City, First Batch of National Exemplary Regular High Schools in Guangdong Province; One of the Hundred New-Style Schools Nationwide in 1905 | | Gaozhou No. 1 Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School | | Gaozhou No. 2 Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School | | Gaozhou No. 4 Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School | | Xinyi Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School, Key Middle School of Xinyi City, First Batch of National Exemplary Regular High Schools in Guangdong Province | | Huazhou No. 1 Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School, Key Middle School of Huazhou City, Second Batch of National Exemplary Regular High Schools in Guangdong Province | | Maoming Dianbai No. 1 Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School, Key Middle School of Dianbai County | | Maoming Dianbai Dianhai Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School | | Dianbai Middle School | Guangdong Provincial First-Class School |

9. Population

9.1 History

9.1.1 Historical Periods

The earliest existing records concerning the population of the Maoming area date back to the population of Gaoliang Commandery during the Jin Dynasty. However, the earliest specific numerical records of the population for the four counties that can be found today begin in the 20th year of the Wanli era (1592). That year, the four counties had 12,395 households and 39,090 people. During the Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Yongzheng reigns of the Qing Dynasty, the adult male (ding) was used as a tax unit, leading to widespread underreporting of the population among the common people. Based on the historical research ratio of 1 ding to 4 individuals, in the 11th year of the Kangxi era (1672), the four counties should have had a population of 71,852. In the 52nd year of the Kangxi era (1713), the decree "Newly Added Adult Males Will Never Be Subject to Additional Taxes" was implemented. However, that year, Maoming and Huazhou suffered from severe famine and plague, resulting in "more than half the population dying." In the 55th year of the Kangxi era (1716), the tax system of "Merging the Poll Tax into the Land Tax" was implemented, after which population statistics became relatively more accurate. During the Tongzhi and Guangxu reigns, the four counties experienced multiple severe droughts, poor harvests, and plague epidemics. Maoming and Xinyi also suffered from locust plagues, leading to severe famines where "a peck of rice cost a thousand coins." Over the 214 years from the 11th year of the Kangxi era (1672) to the 12th year of the Guangxu era (1886), the population of the four counties increased by 1,764,298, with an average annual growth rate of 1.52%.

In the early years of the Republic of China, the four counties were plagued by continuous warfare and plague epidemics, leading to a decrease rather than an increase in population. By the 26th year of the Republic of China (1937), the four counties had a total of 303,018 households and 1,982,381 people. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, some institutions, schools, and businesses from Guangzhou and other places relocated to the mountainous areas within the region, but no population statistics were recorded. At that time, the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) severely conscripted men for military service. In the early stages of the war, one out of every three adult males was conscripted; in the middle stages, one out of every two; and later, any adult male encountered was seized. Evasion and concealment of adult males were common among the populace. By the 37th year of the Republic of China (1948), the population of the four counties had decreased to 1,764,029.

9.1.2 Contemporary Period

In October 1949, the People's Liberation Army captured the four counties and recorded a resident population of 2.1584 million. After the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan in 1953, industrial and agricultural production developed rapidly, people's living standards improved significantly, and the state encouraged childbirth. By 1957, the population of the four counties had increased to 2.5797 million, an increase of 421,300 compared to 1949, with an annual growth rate of 2.25%.

In 1958, over 50,000 cadres, technicians, workers, and their family members from units such as the Fushun Mining Bureau and the Fourth Engineering Bureau of the Ministry of Construction Engineering relocated to the urban area of Maoming to support petrochemical construction. At that time, the masses were preoccupied with the "Great Leap Forward," leading to a decline in the birth rate. That year, Maoming City had a population of 242,536, while the city and the four counties together had 2,690,501 people. Over the four years from 1958 to 1961, Maoming City had an average annual birth of 4,672 people, deaths of 1,957 people, a natural increase of 2,715 people, and a natural growth rate of 11.32‰. The average annual in-migration was 34,446 people, out-migration was 24,870 people, resulting in a net migration rate of 3.7%.

In 1962, during the adjustment of the national economy, the urban area of Maoming City continued to reduce its workforce by nearly 10,000 employees and transferred out another 19,393 people. The initial results of the national economic adjustment led to an improvement in people's lives, triggering a compensatory baby boom. In 1972, educated youth who had been sent down to the countryside returned to the cities. That year, the urban area had 49,750 people, Maoming City had 312,558 people, and the city and the four counties together had 3,701,381 people.

In 1973, the city began implementing family planning, incorporating population development into the national economic plan. That year, the birth rate in Maoming City and the four counties dropped to 27.9‰. With improvements in people's living standards and medical and health conditions, the mortality rate dropped to 5.9‰. According to the 1982 census, the urban area had 88,500 people, Maoming City had 409,744 people, and the city and the four counties together had 4,351,292 people.

After Maoming implemented the system of cities administering counties in 1983, the population continued to grow steadily, while population outflow began to appear. According to the 1990 census, the permanent resident population of Maonan District was 532,715, and the city's total permanent resident population was 4,890,856, which was 307,755 less than the registered population. The 2000 census recorded the city's permanent resident population as 5,239,664, which was 1,206,566 less than the registered population. The 2010 census recorded the city's permanent resident population as 5,817,753. The 2020 census recorded the city's permanent resident population as 6,174,050, while the registered population at the end of the same year was 8.233 million.

By the end of 2021, the permanent resident population of Maoming City was 6.2197 million, an increase of 39,700 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 2.8026 million, accounting for 45.06% of the permanent resident population (the urbanization rate of the permanent resident population), an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the end of the previous year.

9.2 Population Outflow

Maoming is one of the cities in China with the most severe population outflow. In 2017, Maoming's registered population exceeded 8 million, reaching 8.0383 million, ranking third in Guangdong Province after Guangzhou and Zhanjiang. However, the local permanent resident population was only about 6.1 million, indicating a long-term trend of net population outflow. The gap between the permanent resident population and the registered population widened from over 300,000 in 1990 to over 2 million in 2020. More than a quarter of the city's local registered population resides outside the city. Due to the weak industrial foundation in Maoming, which cannot provide sufficient employment opportunities to support its large population size, a significant portion of the local population has migrated to economically developed regions such as the Pearl River Delta. The continuous outflow of young and middle-aged labor has also led to an increasingly severe polarization of Maoming's population age structure, presenting a phenomenon of "high at both ends, low in the middle." According to data from the Seventh National Population Census, the population aged 14 and below accounts for 27.07% of the city's total, which is 8.22 percentage points higher than the provincial average and 9.12 percentage points higher than the national average. The population aged 60 and above accounts for 16.80%, which is 4.55 percentage points higher than the provincial average. In contrast, the working-age population (15-59 years old) accounts for only 56.13%, ranking last among all prefecture-level cities in the province and showing a significant decrease of nearly 5% compared to ten years ago. This is 12.67 percentage points lower than the provincial average and 7.22 percentage points lower than the national average.

9.3 Ethnic Groups

By the late Neolithic Age, indigenous ethnic groups were already living and multiplying within the Maoming area. During the Xia and Shang periods (21st century BC to 11th century BC), these indigenous ethnic groups gradually formed tribal alliances, becoming part of the Baiyue people. The original Yue people were historically called the Li people. After the Qin Dynasty unified China, it established commanderies in the Lingnan region and implemented a policy of "migrating people to consolidate the frontier," systematically relocating people from the Central Plains to Lingnan. This further strengthened the connections between the local Baiyue people and the Han people from the Central Plains, with some of the Baiyue gradually integrating into the Han ethnicity. After the establishment of Maoming County during the Sui Dynasty, the Li leader Xian Ying worked to promote the integration of the Li and Han peoples. By the Tang Dynasty, most of the Li people had integrated into the Han ethnicity, while the remainder merged with other ethnic groups, becoming known as the Yao and Zhuang ethnicities, leading to the disappearance of the Li as a distinct group. During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1736-1795), all indigenous ethnic minorities within the region had integrated into the Han ethnicity and were fully registered in the local household registries. The residents of the region are all descendants of Han people from the Central Plains or of Han people who integrated with the indigenous ethnic minorities.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, due to national policies favoring ethnic minorities, the number of ethnic minorities and minority population in Maoming City gradually increased. By the end of the 20th century, the city had 44 ethnic groups, with the Han population accounting for over 99.4%. Other ethnic groups with larger populations included the Zhuang, Miao, Li, Yao, and Dai.

In 2020, among the city's permanent resident population, the Han population was 6,136,700, accounting for 99.4%; the combined population of all ethnic minorities was 37,350, accounting for 0.6%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 335,249, a growth of 5.78%, but its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.33 percentage points. The combined population of all ethnic minorities increased by 21,307, a growth of 132.81%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.33 percentage points.

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10. Culture

10.1 Tourism

Maoming possesses comprehensive tourism resources across mountain and sea terrains. It features alpine meadows in the north, rural hills in the central region, and coastal beaches in the south, indicating significant potential for tourism development. | District | National 4A-Level Tourist Attractions | National 3A-Level Tourist Attractions | Other Famous Attractions | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Maonan | Guangdong Maoming Forest Park (2011) | Nanyue·1959 Cultural Creative Street (2019) | Open-pit Mine Ecological Park | | | | Yaxiang Land Art Park Scenic Area (2020) | | | Dianbai | Fangji Island Sea Amusement World (2011) | Dianbai Yushui Ancient Hot Spring Resort (2013) | Xiaoliang Soil and Water Conservation Ecological Landscape Scenic Area | | | Romantic Coast Scenic Area (2014) | Nanhai Tourism Island·China First Beach (2017) | Shuidong Bay Marine Park | | | Lady Xian's Hometown Cultural Tourism Scenic Area (2018) | Shuidong Zhongliang Street Agarwood Characteristic Pedestrian Street (2017) | | | | | Liutao Jewelry Creative Industrial Park (2018) | | | | | Shalang New City Park Scenic Area (2021) | | | | | E'huangzhang Tourism Resort (2024) | | | Gaozhou | Gaozhou Xianrendong (Immortal Cave) Tourist Attraction (2021) | Datang Lixiang (Great Tang Lychee Homeland) Cultural Tourism Area (2023) | Gaozhou Reservoir Yuhu (Jade Lake) Scenic Area | | | | Gaozhou Ancient County Water City (2020) | || | | Gaozhou Yuelong Mountain Scenic Area (2021) | | | | | Jianguo Ecological Swan Lake Tourist Area (2021) | | | | | Gaozhou Xiantai Temple Scenic Area (2023) | | | | | Lingnan Phoenix Garden Scenic Area (2023) | | | | | Maoming City Yuhu Scenic Area (2024) | | | | | Gaozhou Guding Terraced Fields Scenic Area (2024) | | | Xinyi City | Xinyi Douzhou Ancient City Scenic Area (2020) | Xinyi Lotus Lake Manor Scenic Area (2024) | Xinyi Douzhouli, Jade City Park | | | | Tianma Mountain Ecological Tourism Area (2005) | Dawuling Nature Reserve | | | | Xijiang Hot Spring Resort (2005) | | | | | Shigen Mountain Scenic Tourism Area (2021) | | | | | Shanshui Shuanghe Scenic Area (2023) | | | | | Xinyi Sanhua Plum Resort (2024) | || Huazhou City | Guangken (Maoming) National Tropical Agricultural Park (2018) | Huazhou Confucian Temple (Xuegong) Scenic Area (2021) | Fuyindi Natural Ecological Scenic Area | |--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | | | Huajuhong Historical and Cultural Industrial Park Scenic Area (2021) | Daoliuwan Natural Landscape Tourism Area | | | | Guangdong Southern Route Revolutionary Gancun Cultural Tourism Scenic Area (2021) | |

10.2 Folk Customs

"Nianli" is the most distinctive folk festival in Maoming, similar to temple fairs in northern China, often described as "Nianli being grander than the New Year." Other well-known folk customs include Gaozhou puppet shows, Xinyi Zhenlong Piaose (a traditional performance with floats and costumes), and Huazhou Tiaohuapeng (a traditional dance).

10.3 Cuisine

Maoming cuisine is primarily based on "Gaoliang cuisine," which is rooted in Cantonese cuisine while incorporating local flavors. It emphasizes the natural taste of ingredients, with cooking methods such as blanching, boiling, stewing, steaming, and braising. Representative dishes include Zhenlong carambola duck, Zhenlong fish balls, Gaozhou salt-baked chicken, Huazhou steamed chicken, Diancheng fried oysters and eels, Shuidong cuttlefish cakes, Shuidong mustard greens, and Shuidong duck congee. Notable local snacks include various glutinous rice cakes (he), fragrant oil mixed rice noodles, as well as Huazhou sweet soups, Huazhou beef offal, Xinyi Chaiqiang rice noodles, and Xinyi Shiguanzui rice sheets. Additionally, Maoming is the first city in China to be awarded the title of "China Mooncake City," with nearly 100 varieties of mooncakes, accounting for about 80% of the province's total. The city is home to one-third of the mooncake manufacturers in the province, ranking first among prefecture-level cities nationwide.

10.4 Media

After the establishment of Maoming as a city, the development of economic trade and external exchanges led to the growth of mass media as a vehicle for information exchange and dissemination. In 1983, Maoming began setting up radio and television stations. With approval from the industry regulatory authorities, Maoming People's Radio Station started broadcasting in January 1984, and Maoming Television Station was officially launched in July 1984. In June 2003, the former Maoming People's Radio Station, Maoming Television Station, and Maoming Cable Broadcasting and Television Station were merged to form Maoming Radio and Television Station, which began formal operations. Maoming Radio and Television Station has achieved full regional networking, with signals transmitted via fiber optics or microwaves to the town level. Its direct end-users, in addition to those in the urban area, include users from Gaozhou, Huazhou, Dianbai, and Xinyi, covering a total population of over 1.5 million.

Two major print media are distributed in the Maoming area. Maoming Daily, as the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China Maoming Municipal Committee, was founded in 1984 and is managed and operated by the Maoming Municipal Committee. Maoming Evening News is the only evening newspaper in the Maoming area, also managed and operated by the Communist Party of China Maoming Municipal Committee. Additionally, Southern Media Group, Yangcheng Evening News Group, and Guangzhou Daily Group all have printing facilities in Maoming, enabling the timely publication of their various newspapers and periodicals.

11. Sister Cities

11.1 Domestic Sister Cities

Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Established on November 13, 1991) Songyuan City, Jilin Province, China (Established on August 28, 1993)

11.2 International Sister Cities

Willoughby City, New South Wales, Australia (Established on June 1, 2011) Sittard-Geleen, Limburg, the Netherlands (Initialed on January 15, 2018, formally signed in September 2019), donated masks to it during the 2020 pandemic

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Named after Pan Maoming

Maonan District

Dianbai District

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Longan

Hibiscus, Bougainvillea