Basic Info on Maoming

Chinese Name:茂名市 (mào míng shì)

Population: 6,793,300

Area: 11,459 square kilometers (4,424 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Maonan, Maogang); 1 county (Dianbai); 3 county-level cities (Huazhou, Xinyi, Gaozhou)

Location: Located in southeastern Guangdong Province, Maoming City neighbors Zhanjiang in the west and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the north. The South China Sea is just to the south of the city. It is 362 kilometers (225 miles) from Guangzhou and 121 kilometers (75 miles) from Zhanjiang.

History: In remote ages, aboriginal people were living in this region, and those aboriginal ethnics in Xia (21st - 16th century BC) and Shang (16th - 11th century BC) dynasties were called Baiyue ethnic group, an integration of the ancient Yue minority and many other minorities. According to historical records, Maoming belonged to two shires in the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC). The Maoming County was established in the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

Physical Features: Mountains and hills constitute the general landform of the city, concurrently including plains and coastal beach. It also has a coastline of more than 220 kilometers (137 miles). On the whole, the terrain of Maoming is higher in the north and lower in the south.

Climatic Features:Enjoying a subtropical monsoon season, the weather of Maoming is moderate with an annual average temperature of no less than 22℃ (72℉). Maoming is a green city all the year round. The rainfall of a year lies between 1530-1770 millimeters (60-70 inches).

When to Go: During the whole year

Special Local Products: In late 2005, Maoming earned the title of largest fruit producing base in China. Lichee (litchi), banana and longan are the most famous and high-yield fruits. In addition, the fruit pit (of Afzelia xylocarpa) carvings are special souvenirs in local markets.

Attractions:

The 1^st Shoal of China Vacation Area: The 'first shoal of China' is 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the downtown Maoming, in the Maogang District. The resort has miles of fine and smooth beach outside the shelter belt, and it is definitely an ideal place for swimming and sunbathing. In addition, the resort has many sports to enjoy, including parachute gliding and sailboarding. It is also a national training center for beach volleyball, and often hosts national and international competitions.

Chicken (Fang Ji) Island: The island is the largest in Maoming covering an area of 1.9 square kilometers (0.7 square miles). This tourist resort is a fascinating diving center boasting clear and unruffled sea waters, famous for its coral reefs and recreational scuba diving. Skin and deep diving, diving of exploration are all available here.

Tianmashan Eco-Tourist Area: The scenic area is situated in Xinyi City. On the 1,080 meters (3,543 feet) tall Tianma Mountain, emerald forest, clear springs, deep and serene valleys, waterfalls of all shapes and size, strange rocks and lingering prairies, can all be found in this nature-gifted landscape.

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