Maoming is stunning, but I honestly don’t recommend going in August because.............

Maoming Travel Guide (with price references): Explore the "Southern Oil City" and Coastal Charm with a Budget of 800 RMB per Person
Maoming, located in the southwest of Guangdong Province, boasts the industrial heritage of the "Southern Oil City" and enjoys 182 kilometers of golden coastline. The unique landscape where mountains meet the sea nurtures abundant tourism resources. From the blue skies and clear waters of China’s First Beach, to the magical underwater world of Fangji Island, and the primeval forest of Gaogao Xianren Cave, Maoming can fulfill all your imaginations of islands, wilderness, and cuisine. Below is a practical guide covering transportation, accommodation, food, and attractions, with a budget of 800-1000 RMB per person (based on 3 days and 2 nights), perfect for weekend getaways or family trips.

1. Preparation: Budget and Season Choice
Best Travel Time:
April to October: Summer allows swimming but requires sun protection and heat prevention; September to October is cooler, ideal for hiking and photography.
Avoid Typhoon Season: Typhoons may occur from July to September, so check weather forecasts before traveling.
Budget Breakdown (per person for 3 days):
Transportation: 300-500 RMB (including round-trip high-speed train/bus + local transport)
Accommodation: 200-400 RMB (budget hotels/homestays)
Food: 150-300 RMB (snacks + seafood meals)
Attractions/Activities: 200-400 RMB (tickets + experiences)

2. Transportation Guide: How to Get to Maoming?
High-speed train: Guangzhou South → Maoming Station: about 2 hours (ticket 100-150 RMB), frequent daily departures.
Shenzhen North → Maoming Station: about 2.5 hours (ticket 180-220 RMB).
Maoming Station → City Center: taxi about 15 RMB (10 minutes), or take bus routes 1 or 6 (2 RMB).
Bus: Direct buses from cities within Guangdong Province (like Zhanjiang, Yangjiang) to Maoming Bus Station, ticket 50-100 RMB, longer travel time (2-4 hours).
Local Transport:
Bus: Most attractions cost 1-3 RMB, but service is infrequent; use map apps for real-time routes.
Taxi: Starting fare 7 RMB, trips between city attractions cost 10-30 RMB one way.
Car Rental: More flexible self-driving; electric scooters about 50 RMB/day, cars 150-300 RMB/day (deposit required).

3. Accommodation Recommendations: From Sea View Rooms to Mountain Homestays
Budget Options: City hotels like 7 Days Inn, Hanting, 120-200 RMB/night, near Maoming Station or Guanghua South Road business district.
Seaside Homestays: Near China’s First Beach (e.g., “Haiyunju”), off-season 150-250 RMB/night, 5-minute walk to the beach.
Mid to High-end Options:
Romantic Coast Resort: Sea view rooms 500-800 RMB/night, with infinity pool and private beach.
Fangji Island Eco Hotel: The only accommodation on the island, 400-600 RMB/night (including round-trip ferry ticket), perfect for sunrise viewing.
Money-saving Tips: Choose accommodations outside scenic areas (e.g., near Maoming Station) for lower prices and convenient transport; weekend rates may rise by 30%, so weekdays are recommended.

4. Must-Visit Attractions and Activities (with prices)
1. China’s First Beach: Free Beach Fun
Admission: Free (beach and viewing platforms open to all).
Must-try: Swimming (open June-September, lifeguard-patrolled areas are safe).
Beach motorbikes (50 RMB/10 minutes), speedboats (100 RMB/15 minutes).
Coastal park greenway cycling (electric scooter rental 20 RMB/hour).
Nearby Food: Beachside stalls (50 RMB per person, recommended salted pepper mantis shrimp, garlic steamed scallops).
2. Fangji Island: Magical Underwater World
Admission + Ferry: 180 RMB/adult (includes round-trip ferry, 30-minute ride), half price for children.
Must-try: Snorkeling (150 RMB/person, includes gear, 1 hour).
Island sightseeing bus (30 RMB/person, stops at Moon Bay, Wild Pineapple Park, etc.).
Overnight on the island to watch stars and sunrise (eco hotel requires advance booking).
Transport: Ferry from Bohe Port (taxi from city to port about 40 RMB, 20 minutes).
3. Romantic Coast International Tourism Resort: Southeast Asian Style
Admission: 80 RMB/adult, 40 RMB/child (under 1.2 meters free).
Must-try: Infinity pool (free for hotel guests, 50 RMB per visit for non-guests).
Seaside wedding chapel (free photos, stunning lighting at dusk).
Bonfire party (weekends from 7:30 PM, free participation).
Nearby Food: Seafood restaurants in the resort (80 RMB per person, recommended boiled shrimp, ginger scallion crab stir-fry).
4. Gaogao Xianren Cave: Cool Secret of the Primeval Forest
Admission: 60 RMB/adult, half price for students; glass bridge, slides, and other activities extra (20-50 RMB).
Must-try: Hiking and creek tracing (about 3 hours, with waterfalls and bamboo forest scenery).
Glass viewing platform (30 RMB/person, panoramic canyon views).
Aerial rafting (80 RMB/person, 1 km long, thrilling and refreshing).
Transport: Taxi from Maoming city about 80 RMB (1 hour), or take Gaogao-Shenzhen bus (15 RMB/person).
5. Yushui Ancient Hot Springs: Blend of Ancient Charm and Wellness
Admission: 138 RMB/adult (includes hot springs + fish therapy), 68 RMB/child.
Features: Over 40 hot spring pools (herbal pools, petal pools, stone slab baths, etc.).
Free tea and fruit provided; massage chairs in rest area (extra charge).
Transport: Taxi from Dianbai District about 25 RMB (15 minutes).

5. Food Guide: Eat Around Maoming for 30 RMB per Person
Seafood Feast: Recommended spots: Dianbai Seafood Street (60 RMB per person), China’s First Beach stalls (50 RMB per person).
Must-order: Boiled shrimp (40 RMB/jin), salt-baked conch (50 RMB/portion), oyster omelet (20 RMB/portion).
Local Snacks: Boji steamed rice cake: 5 RMB/portion, rice cake with garlic soy sauce, soft and glutinous (recommended “Liu Ji Boji Steamed Rice Cake”).
Huazhou Sweet Soup: 8 RMB/bowl, recommended taro sago and coconut black glutinous rice (“Yipin Sweet Soup” old brand).
Beef Offal Skewers: 3 RMB/skewer, stewed beef tripe and intestines (popular “Zhang Ji Beef Offal”).
Night Market Must-visit: 1959 Nanyue Cultural Street: hotspot for trendy snacks, recommended potato cake (10 RMB/portion), durian cheese cake (15 RMB/portion).
Guanghua South Road Night Market: locals’ favorite, eat to your fill for 20 RMB per person (grilled oysters, fried noodles, sweet soup).
Special Drinks: Tangerine peel tea (10 RMB/cup, relieves phlegm and cough), lychee honey (20 RMB/bottle, Dianbai specialty).
Money-saving Tips: Avoid restaurants in scenic areas; choose “dai pai dong” or fast food near residential areas; buy seafood at markets and have restaurants cook it (processing fee 10-20 RMB/portion).

6. Sample 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary
Day 1: Coastal Charm Tour
Morning: China’s First Beach (free) + beach motorbike experience (50 RMB).
Afternoon: Romantic Coast Resort (80 RMB admission) + infinity pool swim (50 RMB).
Evening: Dinner at Dianbai Seafood Street (60 RMB per person) + Cultural Street night market (30 RMB per person).
Accommodation: Seaside homestay (200 RMB/night).
Day 2: Island Adventure
Morning: Ferry from Bohe Port to Fangji Island (180 RMB ferry ticket) + snorkeling (150 RMB).
Afternoon: Island sightseeing bus (30 RMB) + photo stop at Wild Pineapple Park.
Evening: Simple island dinner (40 RMB per person) + stargazing.
Accommodation: Fangji Island Eco Hotel (500 RMB/night, includes ferry ticket).
Day 3: Mountain and Wellness Tour
Morning: Gaogao Xianren Cave (60 RMB admission) + glass bridge (30 RMB) + aerial rafting (80 RMB).
Afternoon: Yushui Ancient Hot Springs (138 RMB admission) + fish therapy (free).
Evening: Dinner at Guanghua South Road Night Market (25 RMB per person) + return trip.
Total Cost: About 900-1100 RMB (including tickets, food, accommodation).

7. Notes
Sun Protection and Heat Prevention: High summer temperatures require sunscreen, sun hats, and Huoxiang Zhengqi water; pay attention to tide times when playing by the sea (check with “Tide Table Genie” mini-program).
Transport Connections: Ferry schedules to Fangji Island are limited (3-4 trips daily), check times in advance; mountain roads to Gaogao Xianren Cave are rugged, wear sports shoes.
Seafood Precautions: Avoid drinking ice-cold beer or cold drinks with seafood to prevent stomach discomfort.
Bargaining Tips: Night markets and souvenir shops allow some bargaining (e.g., gift boxes from 80 RMB down to 60 RMB).
The romance of Maoming is hidden in the waves of the First Beach, in the coral reefs of Fangji Island, and in the sweet taste of a bowl of Huazhou sweet soup. Take this guide and experience the unique charm of this mountain-and-sea city on a budget!