The Lychee Road

Synopsis

Adapted from Ma Boyong's novel of the same name, directed by and starring Da Peng, it tells the story of a low-ranking Tang Dynasty official tasked with the "death mission" of transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an. Douban score 7.6, summer box office 690 million RMB.

Overview

The Lychee Road (Chinese: 长安的荔枝) is a 2025 Chinese historical comedy-drama film directed by and starring Da Peng (Dong Chengpeng). The film is adapted from Ma Boyong's novel of the same name, featuring Da Peng, Bai Baihe, Wang Ziyi, Zhang Yunlong, and Liu Haoran in leading roles. It was released in mainland China on July 18, 2025.

The film tells the story of Li Shande, a low-ranking official during the Tianbao era of the Tang dynasty, who is appointed as the "Lychee Commissioner" and tasked with transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an. Lychees "change color in one day, lose fragrance in two, and spoil in three." This seemingly impossible task hides a profound workplace satire and historical metaphor.

The film received a score of 7.6 on Douban and grossed 691 million RMB, making it one of the most anticipated live-action films of the 2025 summer season.

Plot

During the Tianbao era of the Tang dynasty, Li Shande (played by Da Peng), a middle-aged man, grumbles through countless tasks and spends frugally, yet remains an obscure low-ranking official.

Deceived by his colleagues, Li Shande transforms from a supervisor into the "Lychee Commissioner" and is forced to accept a "death" mission: transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an to celebrate the Empress's birthday. Lychees "change color in one day, lose fragrance in two, and spoil in three." The journey from Lingnan to Chang'an is long, making preservation nearly impossible.

However, Li Shande does not give up. Using his wisdom and experience, he accomplishes this seemingly impossible task under limited conditions. On the surface, the story is about a lychee business, but in reality, it reflects the power struggles among different factions in the imperial court.

Cast

Production & Reception

Director Da Peng is previously known for comedy films such as Jian Bing Man and City of Rock. Directing The Lychee Road marks his important transition from pure comedy to historical drama.

The film adopts a "subtraction art" approach, distilling the essence of Ma Boyong's novel into a complete and compact story within 120 minutes. Significant investment was made in recreating scenes and costumes, reportedly costing around 250 to 300 million RMB.

Compared to the TV series version starring Lei Jiayin, which aired around the same time, the film version received higher praise for its tight pacing and excellent word-of-mouth, with a Douban score of 7.6–7.7 and topping the daily box office for seven consecutive days.

Cultural Impact

The Lychee Road is another major work in the film and television adaptation of Ma Boyong's IP. Following The Longest Day in Chang'an, this film once again brings the historical landscape of the Tang dynasty to the big screen.

The film's theme of "taking from the people, using for the rulers"—"In prosperity, the people suffer; in decline, the people suffer"—resonated widely with audiences. Through the delivery of a single lychee, it reflects the corruption of the Tang court and the hardships of the common people.

References

1. Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/movie/subject/36185502/
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/长安的荔枝/62443860
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/长安的荔枝_(电影)
4. Gamersky: https://www.gamersky.com/news/202509/2022042.shtml