Maoming

Maoming The Oil City of south china 南方油城
—  Prefecture-level city  —
茂名
Chinese transcription(s)
– Chinese	茂名
– Pinyin	Màomíng
Maoming Location in Guangdong
Maoming Location in China
Coordinates: 21°39′N 110°55′E / 21.65°N 110.917°E / 21.65; 110.917Coordinates: 21°39′N 110°55′E / 21.65°N 110.917°E / 21.65; 110.917
Country	China
Province	Guangdong
City seat	Maonan District
Government
– CPC Committee Secretary	Luo Yinguo (罗荫国)
– Mayor	Deng Haiguang (邓海光)
Area
– Prefecture-level city	11,458 km2 (4,424 sq mi)
Population (2010 census)
– Prefecture-level city	5,817,753
– Density	507.7/km2 (1,315.1/sq mi)
– Urban	1,028,500
– Metro	1,028,500
– Major Nationalities	Han
Time zone	China Standard (UTC+8)
Postal code	525000 (Urban center) 525100-525400 (Other areas)
Area code(s)	668
GDP (2009)	¥ 123.98 billion in total; ¥ 20,118 per capita
License Plate Prefix	粤K
County-level divisions	6
Township-level divisions	unknown
Coastline	220 km
Website	http://www.maoming.gov.cn

Maoming (Chinese: 茂名; pinyin: Màomíng) is located in southwestern Guangdong province, People's Republic of China. Facing the South China Sea to the city's south, Maoming city neighbors Zhanjiang in the west and is 362 kilometers (225 mi) from Guangzhou and 121 kilometers (75 mi) from Zhanjiang. The Maoming Port is a Grade I port that handled 16.8 million tons of cargo in 2007. Refined oil and aquatic products are the major export products from the city. Major export destinations include Hong Kong, Macau and ASEAN member nations.

As of the end of 2010, Maoming has a population of 5,817,753 inhabitants whom 1,028,500 in the built up area made of 2 urban districts (Maonan and Maogang) with a birth rate 11.04‰. The city's GDP (2009) was RMB 123.98 billion (US$18.16 billion), up by 10.3% over the previous year.^[1] According to unverified source Maoming's GDP ranked 8th in Guangdong's 21 cities and ranked 70th of China's 656 cities in 2009. ^[2]

History

Maoming's history traces back to about 4,500 years ago. During the Xia Dynasty (2100-1600BC) and the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100BC), the Baiyue tribes inhabited this region. During the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), the region was divided into Nanhai Shire, Xiang Shire and Guilin Shire. It was named "Maoming" during the Sui Dynasty (AD581-618). Since a large number of minority groups, such as the Yao, the Zhuang and the Miao, are living in Maoming, the city enjoys diverse cultures and folk arts.

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Maoming administers 6 county-level divisions, including 2 districts, 3 county-level cities and 1 county.

Map
#	Name	Hanzi	Hanyu Pinyin	Population (2003 est.)	Area (km²)	Density (/km²)
1	Maonan District	茂南区	Màonán Qū	740,000	507	1,460
2	Maogang District	茂港区	Màogǎng Qū	470,000	372	1,263
3	Huazhou City	化州市	Huàzhōu Shì	1,420,000	2,354	603
4	Xinyi City	信宜市	Xìnyí Shì	1,240,000	3,081	402
5	Gaozhou City	高州市	Gāozhōu Shì	1,580,000	3,276	482
6	Dianbai County	电白县	Diànbái Xiàn	1,230,000	1,855	663

Geography

Situated in the southwestern coastal area of Guangdong China, Maoming has under its jurisdiction Maonan District, Maogang District, Dianbai County and the cities of Xinyi, Gaozhou and Huazhou at county's level.

With a long coastline (220 kilometers), the "First Shoal of China" resort is 25 kilometers (16 mi) from downtown Maoming.

Economy

Maoming is one of "the Top 100 developed cities in China" and "National Garden City". Maoming is also one of the largest petrochemical production bases, largest fruit production base, tilapia culture and processing base, winter-planted vegetable production base of China, and the important energy, material and heavy-chemical industrial base of Guangdong province.

Major Economic indicators (2009)^[1]

GDP: RMB 123.98 billion (US$18.16 million), 10.3% up

GDP Composition:

• Primary Industry (Agriculture) 19.1%
• Secondary Industry (Industry & Construction) 37.2%
• Tertiary Industry(Service) 43,7%

GDP Per Capita: RMB 20,118 (US$2,947), 8.9% up

Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

Fixed Asset Investment: RMB 18.01 billion (US$2,64 billion), 23.5% up

Utilized FDI: US$31 million, 44.2% down

Total Import & Export: US$673 million, 9.1% down

Export: US$532 million, 7.4% up

Import: US$141 million, 42.5% down

Sales of Consumer Goods: RMB 60.1 billion (US$8.8 billion), 20.3% up

Transport

Maoming can be reached by the Maozhan Expressway which is linked to the Kaiyang Expressway and Fokai Expressway which leads to the capital, Guangzhou. It is a 5 - 6 hour commute from the capital. ^[3]

Language and culture

Maoming's history traces back to about 4,500 years ago. During the Xia Dynasty (2100-1600BC) and the Shang Dynasty (1600-1100BC), the Baiyue tribes inhabited this region. During the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), the region was divided into Nanhai Shire, Xiang Shire and Guilin Shire. It was named "Maoming" during the Sui Dynasty (AD581-618).

During the Tang Dynasty (AD618-907), the Baiyue Tribes had already merged with the Yao minority group and the Zhuang minority group. It was until 1959 that Maoming was promoted to a city. Since a large number of minority groups, such as the Yao, the Zhuang and the Miao, are living in Maoming, the city enjoys diverse cultures and folk arts.

The people of Maoming speak the Gaoyang dialect of Cantonese and Mandarin.

Tourist attractions

Maoming is home to the No. 1 Shoal of China Vacation Area (中国第一滩 Zhōngguó dì-yī tān), Fang Ji Island (放鸡岛 fàng jī dǎo) and Tianmashan (天马山 tiān mǎ shān) Eco-tourist Area, Gaozhou Temple of Madam Xian (冼太庙 Xiǎn tài miào) and Genzi Litchi Cultural Tourist Area.

The No.1 Shoal of China Vacation Area is 25 kilometers (16 mi) from the downtown Maoming, in the Maogang District. With miles of fine beach outside the shelter belt, tourists can enjoy parachute gliding and sailboarding. It is also a national training center for beach volleyball, and often hosts national and international competitions.

Chicken Island is the largest in Maoming covering an area of 1.9 km². 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 available as well.

Temple of Madam Xian was constructed in 1535 in memory of Madam Xian, who was the female leader of Baiyue Tribe. The temple is rich in cultural and historical objects, such as ancient statues, sculptures and stone inscriptions.

Maoming is a famous litchi production base in China. The Genzi Litchi Cultural Tourist Area is situated in Genzi, a small town in Maoming.

The delicious local foods are also worth recommending. Huazhou Baiqie Chicken (白切鸡 bái qiè jī), Gaozhou Salted Chicken (盐焗鸡 yán jú jī), Fenpi (粉皮 fěn pí), Genzi Beef Rice Noodle and Xinyi Huaixiang Chicken are the most popular local dishes in the city.

Downtown Maoming is also a comfortable walking city, great for just wandering into shops. A downtown park comes alive at night as couples and families stroll.

Maoming is easily accessible from Guangzhou (approximately four hours by a comfortable train or a first class bus). Two train stations serve Maoming, one downtown that provides the connection to Guangzhou and points to the north and one a few minutes south of town that connects to the south and west.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Maoming Economic and Social Development Report". Bureau of Statistics of Maoming. http://tjj.maoming.gov.cn/tjgb/tjgb_mm_2009.html. 
2. ^ SOUTHCN, Chinese City GDP Ranking 2009
3. ^ http://www.chinatrainguide.com/guangzhou-railway-station/maoming.html

External links

• Government website of Maoming (Chinese) (English)
• Bureau of Statistics of Maoming
• China Knowledge