A VARIETY of cultural activities will be held starting Friday to mark the monthlong Nanshan Litchi Cultural and Tourism Festival.
The activities fall into five categories, namely tourism galas at theme parks, community performances, entrepreneur forums, shopping festivals and litchi-tasting trips organized by travel agencies for tourists, said Zhou Hui, director of Nanshan Trade and Industry Bureau, at a news conference last week.
It is the 10th anniversary of the litchi festival, which has now become a tourism brand of the district, attracting visitors from around China and overseas. During the festival, China Merchants International Travel Co. Ltd will arrange for overseas travelers to taste the Nanshan litchi, one of the most well-known litchi brands in China for its taste and varieties.
The Nanshan litchi has a bumper year this year, even though its harvesting season had to be postponed for 12 to 20 days because of the prolonged cold and rainy weather in January and February.
Some 2,000 tons of litchi will be produced this year, according to Zhong Yiping, head of Xili Orchard. Xili Orchard is one of the major litchis growing areas in the city.
The major litchi varieties, including Nuomici and Guiwei, will hit the market next week, priced at 40 to 60 yuan (US$5.70 to 8.60) per kilogram.（Han Ximin）