As lychee season reaches its peak in southern China, Guangdong is bringing a refreshing twist to tradition. Once known simply as a sweet summer fruit, lychees are now stepping into the spotlight of fine Cantonese cuisine, inspiring chefs across the province to incorporate them into elaborate banquet dishes using steaming, stir-frying, and braising techniques—all while preserving the fruit's delicate sweetness.
From June 18 to 19, the Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center and Baiyun International Conference Center jointly hosted a promotional event and lychee & mooncake tasting showcase, highlighting this local culinary renaissance.
As part of its new premium dining initiative, Baiyun International is launching immersive banquets that fuse cuisine and culture. Inspired by Guangdong's thousand-year lychee heritage, the "Lingnan Lychee Banquet" showcases the region's unique flavors through inventive dishes.
The dining space features artistic designs inspired by lychees and moonlight, centered around a crystal-like lychee tree installation framed by Guangzhou's iconic landmarks, creating a dazzling tribute to Lingnan's summer nights.
The banquet menu features a creative lineup of lychee-infused dishes, including:
Whole-wheat lychee bread
Lychee with honey and lily bulbs
Lychee and ice plant salad
Jellyfish with lychee vinegar
Crispy barbecued pork with lychee glaze
Crystal chicken with lychee mushroom
Lychee foie gras mousse
Slow-cooked halibut with secret lychee sauce
Lychee wood-smoked Australian Wagyu
Lychee tiramisu with Lingnan seasonal fruits
Beyond the banquets, Baiyun International has upgraded its guest rooms to integrate Lingnan cultural elements with smart living systems. Its three signature restaurants further explore the region's culinary heritage, while the center will also launch custom performances and creative gift sets like the "Lingnan Lychee" box, offering guests a premium, one-stop experience.
As the Dragon Boat Festival passes and the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Baiyun International is also rolling out two seasonal mooncake collections. The classic edition, tailored for corporate clients, incorporates Lingnan-style window designs, while the gift box edition combines traditional food box aesthetics with modern packaging. Hand-painted illustrations evoke the charm of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the eight-flavor set includes standout varieties like Golden Ham & Five Kernels with Lion Dance motif and Kapok Sesame Walnut.
By leveraging its strengths in event services, venue design, and premium catering, Baiyun International is positioning itself as a one-stop hub for cultural dining, creative products, weddings, and more — weaving together tradition and innovation, with lychee as its newest culinary muse.
Author | Liu Lingzhi
Editor | James, Shen He
Photo | Guangzhou Baiyun International Conference Center
