Originally the ancient state of Southern Yue brought them to the Central Plain as a tribute item. Upon tasting them, the Han emperor was so pleased that he ordered lychee trees brought from the south to be transplanted in the palace gardens.
根據古籍記載：荔枝原是南越朝貢中原的「蠻果」，漢武帝食之成癖，還特地在上林苑裡建了座「扶荔宮」，專事栽種由南方移植來的荔枝樹。