Where to Find the Fairyland? Exploring the Legend of Pan Xian in Maoming's Landscapes | A City Named After Him—A Legendary Journey!

🌟 A Culinary Journey in Maoming: The Charm and Flavors of an Ancient Port City 🌟 【The Modern Transformation of a Millennia-Old Port】 Strolling along Dianbai Xinhu Second Road, the sea breeze carries a briny freshness. This city, named after Pan Maoming—a renowned Taoist alchemist from the Southern Liang Dynasty—has a history steeped in legend. Today, Maoming blends the timeless allure of its ancient fishing port with the vibrant energy of a modern coastal city. Staying at the Victoria International Hotel, the azure bay outside my window evokes memories of the bustling maritime Silk Road trade from centuries past. 【Tasting the Best of Lingnan】 1️⃣ **Dianbai Seafood Market** At 5 a.m., Dianbai Fishing Port comes alive! Fresh off the deep-sea boats, silvery catches spill onto the docks—jumbo mantis shrimp, thick lobster tails thrashing in plastic basins. Locals share their secret: pick flower crabs with yellowish undersides for the creamiest roe. Head to the second floor for on-the-spot cooking, where a seafood feast costs just 80 RMB per person. 2️⃣ **Shuidong Duck Porridge Legacy** This three-generation-old porridge shop holds culinary magic. A base of congee simmered with scallops and dried seafood is topped with secret ginger paste, sesame, and freshly sliced poached duck. The key? Free-range ducks aged 120 days—tender yet firm. Pair it with a side of Dianbai-style preserved radish omelet, and this bowl of porridge will awaken your Lingnan morning. 3️⃣ **Huazhou Dessert Shop** A must-try afternoon treat! Sweet potato soup, slow-cooked for 30 years over a wood-fired stove, carries a smoky aroma with a hint of ginger spice. The owner insists on Leizhou Peninsula brown sugar, its amber syrup stretching into silky threads. Sit under the arcade, savoring each spoonful as sunlight dapples the stone-paved streets through banyan leaves. 4️⃣ **Bohe Fishing Port Night Market** By night, Bohe Port transforms into a global food bazaar. Charcoal-grilled oysters sizzle under garlic-chili sauce, bursting with briny juice; crispy fried cuttlefish balls reveal tender sweetness; the showstopper? Swordfish jerky smoked with lychee wood, its savory depth laced with fruity notes. Don’t forget a glass of salted wampee juice—Maoming’s signature summer refresher. 【Coastal Living Guide】 The executive lounge atop Victoria International Hotel offers sunset views to remember. Sip a cocktail infused with Xinyi’s Sanhua plums as oil tankers glide across the twilight sea. A 10-minute walk leads to night markets where grannies sell *yè dā bǐng*—sticky rice treats wrapped in pineapple leaves, embodying Maoming’s sweetest traditions. Kissed by the South China Sea, this land weaves ancient tales through its freshest flavors. As dawn breaks over Fangji Island’s lighthouse, the fishermen’s chants echo—a never-ending symphony of life’s simple joys.