Genzi Agricultural Ecotourism Area

　　The Genzi Lychee Cultural Tourism Area is adjacent to Maoming and Gaozhou urban areas. Located in Genzi Town in the southwestern part of Gaozhou, lychee production has existed here since the late Qin Dynasty. It is 47 kilometers from the nationally renowned scenic spot Shuitou Tiger Mountain and “China’s No.1 Beach,” 25 kilometers from Gaozhou Railway Station, and 102 kilometers from Zhanjiang Airport. The opening of the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang Expressway, the construction of Gaozhou Airport, the widening of provincial highways from Gaozhou to Yangchun and from Gaozhou to Yulin, as well as the Luoyang–Zhanjiang Railway that will pass through Gaozhou, can greatly strengthen Gaozhou’s connection with Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta region. Gaozhou is just a few hours’ drive from Guangzhou. As an important part of Maoming’s tourism system, the Gaozhou Lychee Cultural Tourism Area—with its beautiful rural scenery, natural landscape, nationally renowned lychee production base, and unique local Li people's culture—will attract numerous visitors.

　　The Genzi Lychee Cultural Tourism Area is an agricultural ecotourism area themed around lychee culture. Comrade [redacted] visited this place during his inspection in Gaozhou in February 2000 while presiding over the “Three Emphases” education campaign and personally planted a lychee tree named “China Red.” Now, “China Red” has become one of the popular spots for tourists. The important thoughts of [redacted] have been incorporated into the Party Constitution. Genzi Town is known as “China’s No.1 Lychee Town.” Its lychee cultivation is famous both at home and abroad for its long history, large planting area, high yield, superior quality, early ripening, and wide sales network. The Gongyuan (Tribute Garden) within the area is hailed as the “Lychee Museum of China,” with many trees over 500 years old. There is also a beautiful legend about the Tang Dynasty’s Gao Lishi picking lychees to present to Yang Guifei. In Gongyuan, Comrade [redacted] also personally planted a lychee tree. Now lush and leafy, it attracts many tourists to take photos and leave memories. Climbing up the Lychee Viewing Pavilion and looking into the distance, you’ll see endless seas of lychee trees with buildings nestled among them, red and green complementing each other—a truly picturesque lychee countryside scene. This scenery is unique to this place.

　　In Baqiao Village of the Genzi Agricultural Sightseeing Tourism Area lies the Gongyuan, where most trees are over 500 years old, earning it the title "Lychee Museum." Since the reform and opening-up, the town has developed “three-high” agriculture (high yield, high quality, high efficiency) with lychee as the leading product, tailored to local conditions. The total lychee planting area in the town reaches 4,100 hectares, ranking first among all towns in China in terms of variety, quality, area, and yield, hence the title “China’s No.1 Lychee Town.”

　　Genzi offers a full range of lychee varieties, including over ten types such as Baitangying, Baila, Heiye, Guiwei, Nuomici, Feizixiao, and Sanyuehong. Genzi lychees start hitting the market in late May and are harvested by late June, ripening about 30 days earlier than other major lychee-producing regions like Zengcheng and Conghua. In February, lychee blossoms are in full bloom across the mountains, creating a fairytale-like landscape. Strolling along flower-lined paths in spring, enjoying the fragrance and tasting honey is a delightful experience. From May to June, as cicadas chirp and lychees ripen, walking through the lychee countryside, admiring red lychees while tasting them, is truly one of life’s great pleasures. A Lychee Viewing Pavilion has been built, and next to it stands the “China Red” lychee tree personally planted by [redacted].

　　Genzi Town in Gaozhou, Maoming, is the most famous fruit-growing region in the country. In this season, the mountains are covered with lychee trees heavy with red fruits. Walking up the newly renovated mountain road, you’re greeted by endless lychee orchards on both sides. When you reach the mountaintop and look down from the Lychee Viewing Pavilion, you’ll see the entire hillside blanketed with lychee trees—a truly spectacular sight.

　　Most of the lychees here are the “Baitangying” variety, said to be so sweet it tastes like sugar in a small jar. The most famous lychee garden is Gongyuan, rumored to be the source of the lychees once offered to Yang Guifei. Find a lychee garden, sit down, and pick fresh lychees to taste—this is when the charm of rural life truly hits you. Why wouldn’t you want to eat lychees in an air-conditioned room when you can make a long journey to the orchard to pick them yourself? At this moment, you’ll understand.

　　After enjoying lychees in Genzi Town, you can also take a stroll through downtown Gaozhou. Here you’ll find the Xian Tai Fu Ren Temple, visited by General Secretary Jiang, as well as three pagodas: Gen Pagoda, Wen Guang Pagoda, and Bao Guang Pagoda. If you have time, you can also visit the nearby Shuitou First Beach.

　　Friendly Tips:

　　Best visiting time: May to July each year

　　Suitable for: Generally suitable for all visitors

　　Suitable for children: Children who love nature, sunshine, and sports. Due to longer travel times, slightly older kids are recommended.

　　Ticket price: 30 RMB (excluding lychee-picking fees)

　　Transportation: Located in Genzi Town, Gaozhou. It takes about 45 minutes by car from the city center.