Chongqing - As temperatures rise to a record-breaking level this summer, so does Chongqing's passion for lychees. According to the 2025 Chengdu-Chongqing Agricultural Trends Report, online lychee sales in Chongqing surged by 275.3% in June, with the beloved "Feizixiao" ("Concubine's Smile", a variety of lychee) variety dominating over 40% of total purchases. 

This summer, the lychee sales in Chongqing rose to a new level (Photo: Feng Xiaolou)

The sweet, juicy lychee has deep roots in Chongqing's history. Research suggests that the lychees enjoyed by the Tang Dynasty's most renowned imperial consort, Yang Yuhuan, were likely sourced from Chongqing's Fuling District (then known as Fuzhou). Back then, a large amount of resources were invested in improving infrastructural capacities across Chongqing and Sichuan to transport lychees and other goods to Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty (close to today's Xi'an), which was connected with the dynasty's prosperity and decline. In 2024, Chongqing's ancient lychee road, along which Fuling was a key hub, was included in China's Tentative List for World Cultural Heritage.

Chongqing's unique geography, nestled in the parallel ridge-valley region of the eastern Sichuan Basin, creates ideal growing conditions with abundant rainfall and heat. Key lychee production areas within Chongqing include Fuling's Nan'tuo town, known for its 200-acre lychee orchards, producing premium varieties like Feizixiao, Dahongpao, and Guiwei. Jiangjin District's Tang'he town is also a century-old lychee hub with 7,000 acres of orchards, thriving under ample sunlight and long frost-free periods.

The Litchi Road Poster.

At the same time, the TV adaptation of renowned Chinese author Ma Boyong’s novel The Litchi Road has further fueled a nationwide lychee craze, transforming the book into a blockbuster cultural IP. The story follows Tang Dynasty clerk Li Shande, who is tasked with the impossible mission of transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang’an across thousands of miles. Audiences have connected deeply with Li’s workplace struggles—while also developing a renewed fascination with lychees themselves.

“Feizixiao was one of the most popular varieties this year,” says Liu Heng, a local fruit shop owner. Known for its excellent taste, Feizixiao is also famously associated with the legendary lychee-loving imperial consort, Yang Yuhuan. Domestic fruit brands such as Pagoda have seized on the trend with high-profile lychee marketing campaigns aimed at boosting summer sales.

“We’ve definitely seen many more customers buying lychees this year—sales are up at least 30% compared to the same period last year,” says Manman, another local fruit shop owner, who happened to be watching The Litchi Road TV drama during her interview.