Bunches of golden longan are now hanging on the branches at Linqing Orchard in Qianwu Town, Doumen District, with the fruit gradually entering the market since July 20.

Workers have been busy picking and packaging ripe longan for further transportation to purchasers all over the world, said Lin Weizu, person in charge of the orchard. 

Two farmers pick longan from trees [Photo by Liang Songhui and Liang Shaobing / WeChat: meilidoumen]

Lin said that the orchard now plants over 100 mu (6.6 hectares, 16 acres) of longan trees of several high-quality varieties, such as Shixia and Chuliang. Currently, 500 kilograms of Shixia longan, which is popular for its small pit and sweet taste, is now sold per day. 

Officials of the district's Agriculture & Rural Affairs Bureau said that Doumen planted around 2,400 mu (160 hectares, 395 acres) longan trees this year and the ripening time was delayed compared with that of previous years, while this year's yield also decreased to around 500 metric tons.

The fruit, however, will taste better as they have a longer growth period and higher sugar content, noted Huang Yongzi of the Doumen Agricultural Technique Promotion Station.

Here are several orchards in Doumen where people can buy fresh longan: 

Linqing Orchard

Address: Southwest of Dayang Mt Bus Stop

Contact: Mr Lin, +86-17802023223

Shizitou Orchard

Address: Shizitou Orchard, Bajia Village 

Contact: Mr Zhao, +86-13926979679

Dasha Community Orchard

Address: Dasha Community, Lianzhou Town

Contact: Mr Zhou, +86-13928009361