Aim. 5S ribosomal DNA (5S rDNA) represents a universal model for studying the evolution of repeated sequences in eukaryotic organisms. Taking into account that this region of the genome still remains almost undescribed in species of the family Sapindaceae, we investigated the molecular organization of a repeated unit of 5S rDNA in a member of this family, Litchi chinensis. Methods. PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing of 5S rDNA. Results. It was found that the length of the repeated unit of the 5S rDNA of L. chinensis is 321 -323 bp. The level of intragenomic similarity of 5S rDNA repeats is 87.1 %. Potential external elements of the RNA polymerase III promoter, which are localized in IGS, differ from those described for members of other families of angiosperms. Conclusions. In the genome of L. chinensis, at least two classes of 5S rDNA repeats are present, which differ in the sequence of external promoter elements. Keywords: 5S rDNA, molecular evolution, Litchi chinensis, Sapindaceae.