Lychees of Chang'an
Synopsis
Adapted from Ma Boyong's novel of the same name, it tells the story of Li Shande, a minor official during the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, who is forced to undertake a seemingly impossible mission: transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an, struggling to survive amidst overwhelming challenges.
Overview
Chang'an's Lychees is a 2025 Chinese mainland historical costume drama comedy film, written and directed by Da Peng. The film is adapted from Ma Boyong's novel of the same name. It stars Da Peng, Bai Ke, Zhuang Dafei, and Lau Chun Him in leading roles, with special appearances by Andy Lau, Yang Mi, Chang Yuan, Lam Suet, and Zhang Ruoyun.
The film was released during the 2025 summer season, grossing a cumulative box office of 690 million RMB. It holds a Douban rating of 7.5 (opening at 7.7), marking the highest opening for a domestic live-action film that year and the highest-rated work among all films directed by Da Peng.
Plot
During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shande (played by Da Peng), a middle-aged man, is an obscure minor official. Deceived by his colleagues, he is transformed from a supervisor into a "Lychee Envoy," forced to undertake a seemingly impossible "death" mission: to transport fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an in time for Consort Yang's birthday celebration.
Lychees "change color in one day, lose fragrance in two, and spoil in taste in three." The journey from Lingnan to Chang'an spans over five thousand li, a task nearly impossible at the time. Grumbling all the way, Li Shande works tirelessly, spends money frugally, and struggles to survive amidst overwhelming difficulties.
However, it is this ordinary man who, relying on unwavering perseverance and clever ingenuity, ultimately accomplishes this seemingly impossible mission, showcasing the wisdom and responsibility of common people in the face of adversity.
Cast
| Role | Actor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Li Shande | Da Peng | Male lead, minor official |
| — | Bai Ke | |
| — | Zhuang Dafei | |
| — | Andy Lau | Special appearance |
| — | Yang Mi | Special appearance |
| — | Chang Yuan | |
| — | Lam Suet | |
| — | Zhang Ruoyun |
Box Office and Reception
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Cumulative Box Office | 690 million RMB |
| Douban Rating | 7.5 |
| Douban Opening Rating | 7.7 |
| Annual Ranking | Highest opening for a domestic live-action film |
Chang'an's Lychees is the highest-rated work among all films directed by Da Peng and is considered "Da Peng's best film to watch." Da Peng's portrayal of the minor official Li Shande's sense of helplessness and resilience is highly praised and regarded as a representative work of his acting career.
Cultural Impact
Chang'an's Lychees is adapted from Ma Boyong's popular novel. Ma Boyong is known for "writing stories in the crevices of history," adept at uncovering the legends of ordinary people from the corners of grand historical narratives. This film continues this creative philosophy, focusing its gaze on an ordinary grassroots minor official.
Li Shande's experience of striving to complete his task in the workplace resonates strongly with contemporary audiences. In an era盛行 of "involution," Li Shande's plight strikes a chord with countless working people, while also conveying the positive value that "ordinary people also possess great strength."
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/36185502/
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/长安的荔枝_(电影)
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/长安的荔枝/62443860
- Gamersky: https://www.gamersky.com/news/202509/2022042.shtml
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