Phoenix Mountain Lychee Sea

　　As you walk along the stone path leading to Phoenix Mountain and ascend step by step, rows of lychee trees with dense canopies come into view. Their twisted branches form huge green umbrellas, filling the air with the fragrance of flowers. From the summit of Phoenix Mountain, you can gaze out at over 200,000 lush lychee trees that merge into a vast, magnificent sea of green. When the mountain breeze blows, the rustling of the forest can be heard endlessly, and Phoenix Mountain appears like an island amidst the boundless green waves. Every year during July and August, the lychee harvest season, clusters of bright red lychees dot the green leaves, swaying in the wind. The contrast of red and green resembles a reflection of rosy clouds on the sea. Deep within the lychee sea, rows of newly built small houses stand tall. The joyful sounds from the red-tiled, white-walled homes blend with the laughter of fruit pickers, creating a cheerful melody of prosperity for the lychee farmers.

　　Phoenix Mountain is characterized by red soil-covered hills with a mild and moist climate, abundant rainfall, and a frost-free period of up to 330 days. These superior geographical and natural conditions are highly conducive to the planting and growth of lychee trees. The history of lychee cultivation here began in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and continues to this day. In Jiuhu Village at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, there still stands a "Lychee King" tree over 500 years old. Despite the passage of time, this tree remains lush and fruitful every year, yielding up to 2,100 pounds annually. Currently, there are over a hundred varieties of lychees on Phoenix Mountain, among which the premium ones include Wuye (Black Leaf), Lanzhu (Orchid Bamboo), Guilin, and Lühebao (Green Lotus Pouch). For taste, the "Wuye" variety is considered the best—its thin skin peels easily to reveal translucent, jelly-like flesh that is juicy, sweet, and utterly delicious. For yield, the Lanzhu variety leads, with its large, round fruits—32 of which weigh about one kilogram. Lanzhu lychees make up 70% of this vast lychee sea. Lychee trees typically flower in April, bear fruit in May, and are harvested in July. During the flowering season, swarms of bees flock to the trees to collect nectar and produce honey. These industrious little creatures create refreshing and tasty lychee honey through their hard work, adding even more sweetness to life.

　　The red lychees welcome guests, and their fragrance is intoxicating. The people of the lychee region are known for their hospitality. During the lychee harvest season, they hold an annual "Lychee Tasting Festival" to make friends and foster camaraderie. Under the shady canopy of lychee trees, on long stone tables, freshly picked lychees glisten with vibrant colors, exuding a rich aroma. Overseas Chinese, compatriots from Hong Kong and Macau, and friends from around the world gather around the tables, enjoying the sweet lychees and sharing the joy of the harvest together.

　　The ten-thousand-mu lychee orchard on Phoenix Mountain is also a great destination for travel and sightseeing. It is one of the peaks of the Ling Mountain range and one of the Seven Rock Caves and Eighteen Scenic Spots of Ling Mountain (eight of which still exist). On the mountain, there is a giant rock that strikingly resembles a mother hen hatching eggs, commonly known as "Chicken Gem Stone." Climbing onto the Chicken Gem Stone offers a panoramic view of Zhangzhou City. The clear, emerald-green Jiulong River winds around this fertile and beautiful land like a jade belt. To the northeast lies the world-renowned "Hundred Flowers Village," famous for its vibrant blooms. To the south are the tranquil and elegant Linqianyan Rock and the Cotton Pavilion at the foot of Jiulong Ridge. To the west is Longhuan Temple, the site of the central county committee of Zhangzhou in the 1930s. Lush fields of narcissus flowers, rice paddies, and citrus orchards are interspersed throughout, complementing the lychee sea and enhancing the charm of this golden, fruit-scented land. There are many scenic spots around Phoenix Mountain. In addition to the "Chicken Gem Stone on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits," there is the "Timeless Stone Lion" at Shishiyan Rock to the south; the "Arhat Divine Peak" further up the mountain; the "Ancient Fortress View" at the highest peak; the "Lion Guarding the Fortress Stone" and "Dragon Spring Miaofeng" outside the southern gate of the fortress, with the "Monkey Peeking into the Well" reservoir below the peak; the "One-Line Spring" at the central Hushi Kongyan Rock; and near the ruins of Rizhao Rock to the west, the "Sunset Waterfall View," which remains well-preserved to this day. The three-tiered waterfall, with a drop of 34 meters, makes one feel as if the Milky Way has descended from the heavens. With Zhangzhou’s Longhai District further opening up, Phoenix Mountain will attract more and more visitors with its unique lychee sea and stunning natural scenery.