A coastal city in western Guangdong known for its petrochemical industry, tropical fruits, and the scenic Fantan Bay coastline.
Maoming is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Guangdong Province, sitting along the South China Sea coast. It is one of China most important petrochemical bases, home to the massive Maoming Petrochemical Company (Sinopec). Beyond industry, Maoming boasts a rich agricultural tradition as a major producer of lychees, longans, bananas, and other tropical fruits.
The city coastline stretches over 180 kilometers, featuring sandy beaches, fishing ports, and the developing Binhai New Area. Maoming has been investing heavily in tourism infrastructure, positioning itself as a coastal leisure destination for the Pearl River Delta region.
Maoming has a history dating back over 2,000 years. During the Qin dynasty, the area was part of Nanhai Commandery. It developed as an agricultural region during the Tang and Song dynasties, known for its tropical fruits and coastal trade.
The modern history of Maoming is defined by the discovery of oil shale in the 1950s, which led to the establishment of Maoming Petrochemical Corporation in 1955. This transformed a small agricultural county into a major industrial city. In 1975, Maoming was upgraded to a prefecture-level city. In recent years, the city has been diversifying its economy beyond petrochemicals into tourism, agriculture processing, and new energy.
Maoming economy is dominated by the petrochemical industry, with Sinopec Maoming Petrochemical Company being one of the largest oil refineries and ethylene producers in China. It processes over 20 million tons of crude oil annually and produces a wide range of petrochemical products.
Agriculture is the second pillar, with Maoming being a leading producer of lychees, longans, bananas, and rubber in Guangdong. The city GDP reached 410.6 billion yuan in 2025, making it one of the larger economies in western Guangdong. Tourism is an emerging sector, with investments in coastal resorts and eco-tourism.
Discover the culinary treasures of Maoming, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
Maoming is served by Zhanjiang Wuchuan International Airport (ZHA) about 120 km away. Maoming itself has a general aviation airport under planning.
Maoming Railway Station on the Shenzhen-Zhanjiang high-speed railway. Direct trains to Guangzhou South Station in about 2.5 hours and Shenzhen in about 3 hours.
No metro system. Public buses and taxis serve the urban area. The city is developing its public transport network as the Binhai New Area expands.
Mar - May
Warm and pleasant with moderate rainfall. Lychee blossoms fill the orchards. Good for outdoor activities and coastal walks.
Jun - Aug
Hot and humid with frequent rain and occasional typhoons. Lychee and longan harvest season — the best time for fruit lovers.
Sep - Nov
Comfortable temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and clear skies. The best season for sightseeing and beach activities.
Dec - Feb
Mild and dry with comfortable daytime temperatures. A pleasant season for exploring the city and surrounding countryside.
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