In 2026, Guangdong's lychee production is expected to be between 1.1 million and 1.35 million metric tons. Beyond production figures, what draws greater attention is how Guangdong lychee has carried forward a cultural relay spanning thousands of years. Through crossover integration of games and micro-dramas, "cyber lychee" has emerged as a new favorite among young consumers.

37 Interactive Entertainment has incorporated lychee cultural elements into six globally distributed games like "Trading Legend," developing a crossover edition titled "You Li Quan Qiu" (Traveling the World with Lychee). In Bao'an District of Shenzhen, the 7th Huangtian Lychee Culture Festival integrated esports elements by hosting a friendly match of Honor of Kings, while cosplayers paraded around to interact and take photos with visitors.

An ancient lychee orchard with a thousand years of history is now writing new chapters. On May 16th, filming kicked off for the inspirational youth micro-drama "Orienteering Teens Meet the Lion Dance" at Luduan Ancient Lychee Garden in Maonan District, Maoming. On May 20th, the 2026 Rural Micro-drama Call for Entries themed "Audio-Visual Empowerment, Micro-drama for Rural Revitalization" was launched in Gaozhou. In Tandicun Village of Gaozhou, Maoming, more than 100 micro-dramas have been produced in less than two years, while over 300 villagers have become actors. Last year alone, the village generated more than 5 million yuan through the micro-drama economy, increasing collective village income by 40% and raising the average per capita annual income of local villagers from 43,000 yuan to 52,000 yuan.

The charm of lychee is also fully displayed on sports fields. On May 16th, at Zhanjiang's home match of the Guangdong Super League, a creative segment named "Time-travel Lychee Delivery" was held. Actors portrayed Su Dongpo and presented 200 kilograms of fresh Lianjiang lychees to players of the visiting team. The perfect blend of fresh lychees and on-field passion has formed a unique Lingnan scenery.

In Guangdong, a building shaped like a peeled lychee has become a popular "check-in" spot for young people. As Guangdong's first lychee-themed service area, Baiqiao Service Area on the Baotou-Maoming Expressway has received over 7.1 million visitors within one year of opening, driving the cultural tourism revenue of surrounding areas to exceed 130 million yuan.

From lychee coffee and agricultural live streaming rooms to check-in videos by online influencers and live broadcasts hosted by lychee-themed young creators, the thousand-year-old lychee culture has gained widespread popularity via youth-oriented expressions. Bus Route 411 in downtown Maoming links up core scenic spots such as the China Lychee Expo Center, the Gongyuan Orchard and Boqiao Village. A four-season cultural tourism landscape has taken shape, allowing visitors to enjoy blossoms in spring, pick fruits in summer, attend study tours in autumn and escape the cold in winter.

“拿捏”Z世代，广东荔枝做对了什么？

今年，广东荔枝预计产量达110万至135万吨，但比产量更引人关注的是，是广东荔枝如何完成这场跨越千年的文化接力？游戏短剧跨界，“赛博荔枝”成了新宠。

三七互娱将荔枝文化元素融入《叫我大掌柜》等六款全球发行游戏，开发“游荔全球”荔枝联动版本。深圳宝安区的第七届黄田荔枝文化系列活动融入电竞元素，现场举办王者荣耀友谊赛，coser巡游与市民互动打卡。

千年古荔园，如今也有了新的“剧本”。5月16日，青春励志微短剧《定向少年遇见狮》在茂名茂南区的禄段古荔园开机。5月20日，“视听赋能，短剧强农”2026年度乡村微短剧征集则在高州启幕。在茂名高州滩底村，短短不到两年时间，一百多部微短剧在这里诞生，300多名村民当上了演员。去年，滩底村通过短剧经济创收500多万元，村集体增收40%，村民人均年收入从4.3万元涨到了5.2万元。

体育赛场的“荔”量更为直观。5月16日的粤超联赛湛江主场，创意“穿越送荔”环节中，演员化身苏东坡，将400斤新鲜廉江荔枝赠予客队球员。荔枝鲜果与赛场激情的碰撞，成为一道独特的岭南风景。

在广东，一座形似“剥开荔枝”的建筑，已成为年轻人的打卡胜地。广东首个荔枝文化主题服务区，“包茂高速柏桥服务区”开业一年，累计接待旅客超710万人次，带动周边文旅收入超1.3亿元。

从荔枝咖啡到助农直播间，再到大V打卡和“荔花”青年直播，千年荔文化正通过年轻化表达快速出圈。茂名市区411路公交串珠成链，将中国荔枝博览馆、贡园、柏桥村等核心景点串联，“春赏花、夏摘果、秋研学、冬避寒”的四季文旅画卷已然铺展。

文丨记者 杭莹
译 | 郑书悦
审 | 曾敏