June, July, and August are the happiest months

for people in Yunnan.

Where does the joy come from? 

Wild mushrooms, of course!

The happiness of eating mushrooms

is beyond words.

This gift from nature is a recognition 

and reward for Yunnan.

Distance: 36 kilometers from Kunming, driving time approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes

Route: Kunming → Shankun Expressway → Kunmo Expressway → Chunrong West Road → Wanqing Road → Wanxi Road → Wanxichong Village

Abundant Mushroom Types: Various wild mushrooms such as porcini (120 CNY/kg), and russula virescens (350 CNY/kg)

Porcini

Russula virescens 

Chenggong is known as Kunming's backyard, boasting rich soil and ample rainfall. Liangwang Mountain, Songmao Reservoir, Liaojia Mountain, and Wanxichong Area are all places where wild mushrooms grow. Although the quantity may not be large, common varieties like porcini and russula virescens can be found.

Start early and go up the mountains to explore; it's not a problem to come back with a basket full of wild mushrooms. Even if you don't find any mushrooms, you can have a meal at a farmhouse in Wanxichong and enjoy their special mushroom feast.

Distance: 75 kilometers from Kunming, driving time approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes

Route: Kunming → Shankun Expressway → Kunmo Expressway → Liujie Town

Abundant Mushroom Types: Various wild mushrooms such as thelephora ganbajun (2000 CNY/kg) and macrolepiota albuminosa (1000 CNY/kg)

Thelephora ganbajun

In Jinning, Liujie Town's mushroom street is the best place to buy mushrooms. Any mushroom found in the mountains can be bought on the street. The daily trading volume at Liujie Town reaches around 5 tons. Food enthusiasts are in luck.

If you want to pick mushroom, you should visit the Dalvxi. Located in Xiyang Township, Jinning County, there are filled with a variety of wild mushrooms.

Macrolepiota albuminosa

Distance: 30 kilometers from Kunming city center, driving time approximately 36 minutes

Route: Kunming downtown → Hangrui Expressway/East Ring Expressway → Shuanglong Street

Abundant Mushroom Type: Porcini (120 CNY/kg)

Shuanglong Township, located in Kunming's Panlong District, has a forest coverage rate of up to 72.36%. With abundant sunlight and ample rainfall, it is a paradise for wild mushrooms. The mountains in Shuanglong Sub-district are home to many varieties of wild mushrooms, with the amplest supply being porcini.

For those who love eating porcini, this place is a must-visit! In recent years, Shuanglong's tourism industry has developed rapidly. Most local farmhouses offer specialty mushroom feasts, which are highly recommended. If you find wild mushrooms, you can also ask the farmhouses to process them for you.

Distance: 95 kilometers from Kunming, driving time approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes

Route: Kunming downtown → Shankun Expressway → Xiaoshao Wild Mushroom Eco-tourism Village

Abundant Mushroom Type: Thelephora ganbajun  (2000 CNY/kg)

The locals in Kunming love the thelephora ganbajun produced in Xiaoshao, Yiliang. They are of high quality and known for their clean appearance and fresh taste. However, they are not commonly found in markets because the thelephora ganbajun from Xiaoshao sells out even before leaving the village. If you want to taste delicious thelephora ganbajun, a trip to Xiaoshao is a must. Apart from mushroom picking, you can also visit Sun Valley, Dadieshui Waterfall, Yilong Lake, and Shibanhe for a pleasant experience.

Distance: 61 kilometers from Kunming city center, driving time approximately 1 hour

Route: Kunming downtown → Hangrui Expressway → Lanmao Road → Changsongyuan Forest Farm

Abundant Mushroom Types:  Thelephora ganbajun (2000 CNY/kg) and russula virescens (350 CNY/kg)

Lingyun Mountain, about 3 kilometers from Songming County, is located behind Fajie Temple Forest Park. Take a walk along the forest path to the mountaintop, where you can pick wild mushrooms and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Changsongyuan Forest Farm, approximately 5 kilometers from Songming County, is also a great place for mushroom picking. Within the forest area of Changsongyuan Tourist Orchard, visitors can bring their own tents and sleeping bags to camp and fully appreciate the beauty of nature. The Southwest Street Farmers Market in Songming sells wild mushrooms at affordable prices, and food lovers can go there for a stroll.

Distance: 39 kilometers from Kunming City, driving time approximately 40 minutes

Route: Kunming city center → Jingkun Expressway → Fumin

Abundant Mushroom Type: Macrolepiota albuminosa (1000 CNY/kg)

Fumin is known as the "Hometown of Macrolepiota Albuminosa," due to its diverse climate conditions and complex geographical environment. Local production includes green, white, and yellow macrolepiota albuminosa mushrooms, with the most exquisite being the green variety, known for its beautiful appearance and tender texture.

Green and white macrolepiota albuminosa mushrooms are mainly harvested in June and July, while the yellow ones are slightly later. If you can find these three varieties while in the mountains, it will be even more joyous than winning a lottery! In addition, Fumin's marinated macrolepiota albuminosa is also famous. The texture is delicate, the aroma is rich, and it is soft and refreshing to taste. Don't miss the chance to try it when visiting Fumin!

Distance: 91 kilometers from Kunming City, driving time approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes

Route: Kunming → Hangrui Expressway → Wuyi Expressway → Yimen County

Abundant Mushroom Types: Various wild mushrooms

Yimen County in Yuxi City is known as the "Hometown of Wild Mushrooms." The forest coverage rate in the county reaches 72.16%, and wild mushrooms can be found in most forests.

Theme-based ecological tourism centered around wild mushrooms has developed rapidly in Yimen. Many local farmhouses are built against the mountains, allowing tourists to enjoy the fun of mushroom picking. Every 5th and 10th of the month are bazaar days in Yimen, and the wild mushroom trading market is extremely lively. Those who are interested can go and take a look.

Distance: 52 kilometers from Kunming, driving time approximately 1.5 hours

Route: Kunming → Jingkun Expressway → Jiaozi Mountain Tourism Special Line → 213 Line → Aziying Village

Abundant Mushroom Types: Various wild mushrooms

Aziying has abundant forest resources, with a forest coverage rate of up to 63%, which is a natural "oxygen bar." There are various types of wild mushrooms on the mountains, including common ones like russula virescens, lactarius deliciosus and chanterelle mushroom.

At the entrance of Aziying Street, there is a street full of fresh-picked wild mushrooms. The varieties are very complete, allowing you to pick and choose. 

When buying the wild mushrooms in Aziying, you should learn to bargain. The final price will surely make you satisfied.

Distance: 124 kilometers from Kunming, driving time approximately 2 hours

Route: Kunming → Kunmo Expressway → Eshan County

Abundant Mushroom Type: Thelephora ganbajun (2000 CNY/kg)

Eshan, located at the northern foot of Ailao Mountain, has dense forests and abundant resources. There are Yunnan pine and pinus densata mixed forests, which are very suitable for wild mushroom growth. Every year after the beginning of summer, various wild mushrooms appear. Among them, thelephora ganbajun is the most famous. According to statistics, mushroom farmers in Eshan pick more than 16 tons of various wild mushrooms each year. When picking thelephora ganbajun, it is important to use the correct method: cut along the soil level and leave the roots intact to allow natural regrowth. In this way, it can grow a second time, just like chives. You can harvest it three times a year.

Distance: 123 kilometers from Kunming city center, driving time approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes

Route: Kunming → Hangrui Expressway → Yinkun Expressway → Hekou Town

Abundant Mushroom Types: Various wild mushrooms

These wild mushrooms are mainly distributed in Qixing, Hekou, and Rende. Hekou Town is the most famous picking spot, with an abundant supply of macrolepiota albuminosa. In addition, Xundian's dried beef is also highly recommended. When visiting, don't miss the chance to try the stir-fried wild mushroom with dried beef.

Distance: 83 kilometers from Kunming, driving time approximately 1.5 hours

Route: Kunming → Jingkun Expressway → Luquan

Abundant Mushroom Type: Tricholoma matsutake  (1400 CNY/kg)

Tricholoma matsutake in Luquan is well-known far and wide. Tricholoma matsutake is also known as the "King of Mushrooms" and is considered a precious delicacy. Tricholoma matsutake grows very slowly, taking at least five to six years from a smooth white spherical spore to a mature mushroom. After a rain, tricholoma matsutake that has dormant for five or six years can grow and mature in just over ten days. Among the various tricholoma matsutake,  the ones in Luquan with the highest quality and highest yield have been awarded the title of the "Hometown of Tricholoma Matsutake" by the Provincial Forestry Department.

Although wild mushrooms are delicious and nutritious, there are many poisonous mushrooms among the various varieties. Some edible wild mushrooms may cause mild poisoning symptoms if not cooked thoroughly (such as hallucination). Do not pick the wild mushrooms shown in the pictures below.

Local Guidelines for Identifying Poisonous Wild Mushrooms: The stranger the appearance, the stronger the toxicity; the more vibrant the color, the greater the toxicity; refrain from picking unfamiliar wild mushrooms; frying wild mushrooms with garlic will not have a detoxifying effect; using silver chopsticks and silver bowls will not produce a reaction with poisonous wild mushrooms. Please remember, everyone, take note of this information!

If you find it difficult to distinguish wild mushrooms, 

you can choose to buy them at the wild mushroom trading center.

Click here to view Chinese report

(Editors: Rachel, Christine)