IT’S just 7:30 a.m. Su Mingxue, a fresh-faced tour guide, assembles a group of adventurers for a unique one-day expedition, to a tranquil hill on the outskirts of Kunming, Yunnan Province. Known as “mushroom hunters,” they revel in the delight of foraging for wild fungi. Many visitors travel to Yunnan to partake in these tours, as the region’s abundant rainfall and moderate temperatures usher in a prime season for wild fungi each summer. Yunnan boasts unparalleled biodiversity due to its unique natural conditions. It is home to approximately 900 varieties of edible wild mushrooms, representing over 90% of the country’s total. These fungi are cherished seasonal delicacies for locals. Since last year, Yunnan’s wild mushrooms have gone viral on social media, both at home and abroad. Foodies endearingly refer to them as “magic mushrooms,” recognizing their exquisite taste but also cautioning that improper cooking can lead to hallucinations. Su and her husband have been operating a wild mushroom business in Kunming for several years. When summer arrives, their business flourishes as wild fungi emerge from the earth. Earlier this year, numerous customers expressed a desire to personally experience wild mushroom foraging rather than merely purchasing them. Su arranged a tour, sharing pictures and videos on social media, and got many positive feedbacks. Then she officially started the fungi-picking tour as a sideline business. After a scenic hour-long drive, Su led her group of nine to a village surrounded by hills on the periphery of Kunming, where villager Li Xue was eagerly waiting. “On sunny days after a period of heavy rain, a variety of fungi flourish in the hills,” Li explained, distributing raincoats and gloves to the group while sharing tips on keeping safe and foraging for edible fungi. The mushroom-themed tours are typically led by an organizer and a seasoned local to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. They often last for half a day or a full day, and offer participants a range of activities such as foraging for fungi, taking photos and feasting on fungi. Such tours are popular among younger demographics. Guo Shuqi from North China’s Shanxi Province made a second trip to Yunnan this year specifically for mushroom foraging. During her day trip, Guo collected various wild fungi, including a rare one called “lurid bolete.” Su said that the tour fees, varying with the number of participants and the location, range from 100 yuan (US$14) to 300 yuan per tourist. In July alone, she hosted over 800 tourists, generating an income of around 200,000 yuan. “Safety is paramount,” Su said, adding that she has chosen several villages where she has been purchasing wild fungi for years to ensure familiarity with the local weather and terrain. In addition to providing outdoor equipment and pre-trip training, she also buys insurance for all participants. Su also allocates a portion of her income to the villagers to compensate for the impact on their fungi business. In Wang Kaiyu’s hometown of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, one of Yunnan’s key wild fungi producing areas, such tours bring extra income to locals. Wang, a vlogger at 25, posts pop science videos about wild fungi to draw more visitors to his hometown. “The fungi season lasts from June to September, offering new opportunities for summer tourism,” Wang said, adding that the mushroom-themed tours help local hotels and restaurants get business.(Xinhua) | 