The wild mushroom harvest season has begun in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, attracting food enthusiasts both from home and abroad.
Wild mushrooms have become a thriving economic pillar of Nanhua County of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, which is nestled in the lush forests. The county boasts 354 known species of wild edible mushrooms, accounting for 35.4 percent of China's total, thanks to its vast woodland and diverse ecosystems.
In 2024, the county's edible mushroom industry achieved a total output value of over 7.6 billion yuan (about 1 billion U.S. dollars). From foraging to processing and sales, the mushroom trade has evolved into a complete industrial chain, significantly boosting local incomes.
"We buy (wild mushrooms) from farmers, and in the peak season, we employ many temporary workers to carry out sorting and rough machining. The profit rate of (deep-processed) wild mushrooms is higher as its popularity and rarity are still better. Last year, our annual sales were more than 78 million yuan (about 10.9 million U.S. dollars)," said Yu Jialing, head of a local mushroom processing factory.
The recent wild mushroom season has attracted flocks of domestic and international tourists who are eager to taste these delicacies. From aromatic hotpot brimming with fresh fungi to sizzling stir-fried varieties, tasting Yunnan's diverse wild mushrooms has become a must-do experience for foreign visitors. This culinary trend has driven surging customer traffic to local mushroom restaurants, with many establishments reporting booming business.
"At first, I think it would be tasted a bit weird. But when I eat it, it's really good," said Valeria, a tourist from Indonesia.
"My advice, come and try. That's very good taste and very nice atmosphere," said Artem, a Russian tourist.
Wild mushrooms have become a must-try culinary experience for foreign visitors to China, with many making it their first meal upon arrival, according to local restaurant operators.
"Our customers are mainly domestic tourists, along with international visitors from countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the United States. The first thing they do after getting off the plane is to eat mushrooms, which surprised us greatly. They often arrive with seven or eight suitcases that completely fill our doorstep," said Wang Wenyan, head of a local mushroom restaurant.
Yunnan's wild mushrooms enter harvest season, drawing global gourmets
