Debra Li

debra_lidan@163.com

FOR those who seek a breathtaking seaview away from the crowds, Maoming, about a 4.5-hour drive away from downtown Shenzhen, might be an ideal destination on a sunny weekend.

Guangdong, with the longest coastline among Chinese provinces, is never short of beachfronts to wind down and lounge away weekends, but the sands of nearby Huizhou or Shantou are often overflowing with people — which makes the less visited city of Maoming even more precious. Better known for its petrochemical industries, the city also has mountains, hot springs, and fun water sports in addition to delicious food to be explored.

Here are some of the most recommended destinations.

Romantic Coast

The name of this resort may sound a bit cheesy, but you will certainly not regret spending a day here. Located in Bohe Township, Dianbai District, the resort offers a 5.3-kilometer-long sandy beach dotted by palm trees.

Families with children can swim in the clear seawater, collect shells, play with the sand, or try to catch crabs on the beach. Young people can try more thrilling experiences such as motor racing on the sands, jet skiing, and kayaking; while just taking a walk or jogging along the beach is quite refreshing. On weekends and special occasions, there will be fireworks shows in the evening, capping off a dreamy day by the sea.

Local Dan fishermen — a group of people who live on boats — set off early in the morning and return to sell their fresh harvest in the resort’s west coast, which is a rare scene to be found in any developed tourist resort.

Those who wish to spend overnight and let the sound of the waves push them into sleep have the choices of a Wyndham and a Sheraton hotel within the resort. Both featuring Southeast Asian-style decors, the former offers a better view while the latter has newer and better facilities. A white chapel within the properties of Wyndham is a popular photography spot for shutterbugs and young people who wish to wow their friends on social media.

Fangji Island

The largest island in Maoming is visible across a stretch of sea from Romantic Coast. Therefore, it’s just 15 minutes’ drive from Romantic Coast to the wharf where ferry services are available to transport visitors to the island.

Rising 122 meters above sea level with an area of 1.9 square kilometers, Fangji Island, with the Chinese name translating to “an island with roaming chickens,” allegedly gained its moniker from the ancient practice of releasing roosters into the woods on the island to pray for safety of the fishermen.

Also nicknamed an “Oriental Hawaii,” the island makes an ideal venue for diving and fishing, with a seawater visibility of up to 8 meters along its coasts.

Its iconic landscapes also feature various stone formations, beaches, caves, rocks, and forests. Many visitors would tie red silk ribbons onto a huge banyan tree on the island as they make a secret wish. Surfing and enjoying sunrise or sunset are also popular pastimes on the island.

For those who tire of walking, an electric trolley service is available that transport visitors around the island.

Yanjing Ridge

About half an hour’s drive from Romantic Coast leads to Yanjing Ridge, a picturesque peak standing at a little over 400 meters above sea level and overlooking a fishing village named Tongzi Bay. The peak is an ideal place to enjoy sunset on the clear blue sea, dotted with hundreds of small fishing boats. Listening to the splashing waves and feeling the sea breeze, one will find the uphill walk along the plank hiking trail to the mountaintop quite refreshing.

At the west foot of Yanjing Ridge lies Zongzi Bay, whose serene beachfront is often compared to the landscapes of Kenting on Taiwan Island. Locals like to enjoy the sea view, have fun on the beach, and try fresh seafood at small eateries in the fishing village.

Maoming Forest Park

Less than an hour’s drive from Yanjing Ridge, Maoming Forest Park tucked in the west suburbs of the city is a fun experience for children and teenagers. Occupying 300 hectares, the park consists of a zoo, a water park, and an area that challenges visitors with tasks similar to cadet training, all set in a luscious environment with many tropical plants.

The zoo is home to many kinds of creatures, including iguanas, porcupines, beavers, wolves, white tigers, African lions, and chimpanzees. Visitors can also see several species of macaques, over 20 species of turtles and tortoises, and some 20 breeds of precious pigeons in designated areas of the zoo.

Maoming Open-pit Mining

Ecological Park

Within half an hour’s drive from Maoming Forest Park, the open-pit mining park located in the northwest of the city is a green wetland park built by transforming what used to be an oil shale mine.

In 2013, the city decided to shut down all the polluting enterprises in the mining area and restore its ecology. Water was channeled through the Gaozhou Reservoir from Xiaodongjiang River into the mining pit, which has been since renamed Haoxin Lake (Good Heart Lake) in memory of Lady Xian, a governor’s wife in what was Maoming today during the Southern Dynasties (420-589) revered for her kindness and loyalty.

With fish swimming in the clear lake surrounded by lush greeneries, the free-entry park is a popular venue for locals to take a walk, have picnics, and enjoy cycling. Visitors can rent available bicycles and tricycles in the park. They can also explore and learn more about the history and evolution of the city’s oil industry in a museum within the park.