Mai was born on 15 July 1929 into a poor family in Panyu, Guangdong, Republic of China.

In September 1952, he began working at the Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Heritage Administration and received training in archaeology.

[1][2] He led the excavation of a number of major archaeological sites in and near Guangzhou, including the Xicun Kiln (西村窑) in the 1950s, the Qin dynasty shipyard in 1975, the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King (Zhao Mo) in 1983, and the Royal Palace and Garden of the Nanyue kingdom.

[3][4] He also advised on the excavation and preservation of the Nanyue sluice and the two royal mausoleums of the Southern Han kingdom.

[5] Mai was a strong advocate for building on-site museums at major archaeological sites.