A hit drama series in China has boosted the popularity of a summer fruit favorite, the lychee.
In the new historical drama, "The Lychee Road" (2025), a low-ranking official is tasked with delivering fresh lychees over 2,500 kilometers from southern China to the imperial palace in Chang'an — all in time for Consort Yang's birthday.
Adapted from a Chinese novel with the same name, the series has captivated audiences with its mix of history and humor. It's also making the real-life fruit a runaway hit this summer.
In Maoming City of south China's Guangdong Province where every fifth lychee in the world comes from, tourism campaigns themed around lychees have gained popularity this year.
"In this year's lychee season, the number of tourists is expected to surge more than 150 percent compared to the same period last year," said Huo Wu, deputy director of Maoming Culture and Tourism Bureau.
And it's not just the orchards feeling the rush. Along an expressway there, a newly opened service area has become a lychee-themed destination. Travelers can sip lychee coffee, send postcards from a lychee post office, and browse for lychee-themed souvenirs, all part of a multi-sensory tribute to the fruit.
Native to southern China, the lychee is loved for its sweet, floral flavor and juicy texture.
Beneath its spiky red skin is a translucent flesh that's packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and hydration, making it not only delicious but a healthy summer pick-me-up.
In neighboring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the lychee season is also in full swing.
The region's famed "Feizixiao" variety, literally "the smile of the beauty", is finishing its harvest, while the beloved "Guiwei" lychees are about to take over.
Online, over 300,000 orders have already been placed, and producers are gearing up for nationwide promotions and even international exports.
"We’re collecting 50,000 kilograms of lychee per day. Our e-commerce orders alone are between 10,000 and 20,000 packages daily," said Chen Huang, tech director of Lingshan Agricultural Company. The fruit has also become a star ingredient in this year's hottest summer drinks. Lychee-flavored teas and juices are dominating sales charts.
"I used to think fruit juice never tasted like the real thing. But this one is different -- it's like biting into a fresh lychee. So juicy and sweet," said Mr. Xu, a lychee juice customer.
Bakeries are also joining the trend with lychee mousse cakes and fruit-filled pastries.
Coffee shops are serving up lychee lattes and even lychee Americanos. Thanks to the hit drama, lychee has been enjoying a starring role both on screen and at the table.
Chinese historical drama boosts summer fruit sales
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
