# Gaoming, Foshan

Gaoming is an urban district of Foshan, Guangdong, China. Gaoming is located west of downtown Foshan and had a population of 469,038 during the 2020 census. It covers an area of 967.4 km$^2$ (373.5 sq mi).

## History

There were inhabitants settled in the region around four thousand years. Under the Qing, Gaoming County was administered as part of the commandery of Zhaoqing.

## Administration divisions

Gaoming District is located within Foshan. Neighboring cities, districts, and counties are Gaoyao to the North, Xinxing County to the West, Heshan to the South, Nanhai District and Sanshui District to the East. The district is divided into one subdistrict and three towns.
| Name | Chinese (S) | Hanyu Pinyin | Population (2020) | Area (km$^2$) |
| Hecheng Subdistrict | 荷城街道 | Héchéng Jiēdào | 319,388 | 178.58 |
| Yanghe town | 杨和镇 | Yánghé Zhèn | 54,772 | 246.27 |
| Genghe town | 更合镇 | Gènghé Zhèn | 50,516 | 365.00 |
| Mingcheng town | 明城镇 | Míngchéng Zhèn | 44,362 | 186.50 |

## Economy

Gaoming has resources of Gold, Copper, Tungsten and other minerals. Gaoming county is an important producer of foodstuffs within Guangdong, as well as food and textiles.
McDonald's and KFC both feature along Wenchang Rd. alongside other Western clothes retail outlets and Watson's pharmacy stores. Otherwise, Western shops are rare. Nonetheless, shopping facilities cater well for day-to-day needs. The primary shopping streets are Canjiang Lu, Wenchang Lu and Wenhau Lu. Markets are also numerous and can be found simply by turning off the primary streets into nearby side-roads.
This CRRC facility in Gaoming Industrial Park manufactures metro trains and light rail vehicles with an annual capacity of 300 vehicles. Using automated production and smart systems, it supplies vehicles for Foshan Metro Line 2 and other Greater Bay Area transit projects.

## Transport

Gaoming is not particularly well integrated into transport systems. The railway from Guangzhou to Maoming as well as the Guangzhou-Foshan-Kaiping highway do not reach this area of the District. Gaoming has a river port on the Xi River.
Gaoming has a sizeable bus station located on Hexiang Lu. It provides transport to a number of locations including Guangzhou, Foshan, Kaiping and Zhuhai in mainland China, and Hong Kong. Buses to Guangzhou terminate at Fangcun Bus Station (adjoined to Ximenkou Metro) and the Central Bus Station (adjoined to Guangzhou Train Station). Both buses take just over an hour and cost around Y33.
Buses to Foshan (Chancheng) cost either 8 or 10 yuan, depending on whether you take the slower or faster bus.
The future Foshan Gaoming International Airport is currently being built in Genghe town, which will replace the Foshan Shadi Airport in Nanhai District.
The 23.5 km extension connects Nanzhuang Station (Chancheng) to Gaoming Station with 10 stations. Key points include Gaoming Hub Station (future intercity rail connection) and Xijiang New City Station. Construction began in 2023, with completion expected in 2028. This project will provide Gaoming District with its first metro access.

## Activities

Gaoming is famous for its Lai Fen, a type of rice noodle, a local food only found here.
Gaoming has plenty of entertainment for its size. There are two cinemas, an old one on Canjiang Lu and another one within the newly opened Walmart. There are also several places where you can play pool or snooker, gyms, and some bars. One of the most popular places to go in Gaoming is the Century Square, a large flat open space by the river. Many people gather here in the evening to go dancing (many different styles), go rollerskating, play with kites, or simply to have a walk.