Nanhua Junjing Mushroom Town in Chuxiong

Junjing · Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Street (菌境・非遗美食街), popularly known as Junjing Mushroom Town (菌境蘑菇小镇), is a mushroom-themed cultural and tourism district in Nanhua County (南华县), Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省).

Located beside the Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center (南华国际野生菌交易中心) and close to the Nanhua exit of the G56 Hangrui Expressway (杭瑞高速), the district combines mushroom-themed architecture, wild mushroom cuisine, intangible cultural heritage, local products, photography and seasonal nighttime entertainment.

The street officially opened during the 22nd Nanhua Wild Mushroom Food and Culture Festival (第二十二届南华野生菌美食文化节) on August 8, 2025. It has since become one of Nanhua’s newest mushroom-culture landmarks and a convenient stop between Kunming (昆明), Chuxiong (楚雄) and Dali (大理).

Suggested photo captions:

• Panoramic Night View of Junjing Mushroom Town
• Main Entrance of Junjing · Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Street
• Aerial View of the Mushroom-Themed Building Complex

Junjing Mushroom Town Overview

Official name: Junjing · Intangible Cultural Heritage Food Street
Chinese name: 菌境・非遗美食街
Popular name: Junjing Mushroom Town (菌境蘑菇小镇)
Location: Longping South Road (龙坪南路), Longchuan Town (龙川镇), Nanhua County
Navigation keywords: 南华菌境蘑菇小镇 / 菌境非遗美食街
Admission: Free
Reservation: Not normally required
Recommended visit: 1.5–3 hours
Best season: July to October
Best photography time: Late afternoon and evening

The district stands on the southern side of the Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center, near the eastern side of the G56 Nanhua toll station. It was designed as a mixed-use destination combining ecological food, creative culture, local agricultural products, intangible cultural heritage and Nanhua’s developing nighttime economy.

According to the project’s final planning and completion records, the development covers approximately 47.65 mu, or more than 31,000 square metres. It contains around 20,275 square metres of buildings and nearly 200 parking spaces, including spaces equipped for electric-vehicle charging. The completed complex includes mushroom-culture buildings, visitor facilities, restaurants, banquet areas and product exhibition spaces.

Reference Opening Hours

The outdoor pedestrian areas can generally be visited throughout the day, but individual restaurants, cafés, shops and experience venues set their own operating schedules.

A practical visitor reference is:

Daytime visit: 09:00–22:00
Recommended night-view period: Approximately 20:00–22:00

Lighting schedules, performances and shop opening hours can change according to the season, weather, public holidays and special events. During the winter and other quieter periods, some businesses may close earlier.

Why Nanhua Is Famous for Wild Mushrooms

Nanhua is promoted under three major regional identities:

• World Kingdom of Wild Mushrooms
• Hometown of Wild Mushrooms in China
• Wild Mushroom Food County of China

Official provincial information records more than 1,000 wild fungus species in Nanhua, including over 350 edible species, as well as poisonous, medicinal and unidentified varieties. The county’s extensive forests, varied elevations and distinctive mountain climate support a particularly rich fungal ecosystem.

Wild mushrooms are more than seasonal ingredients in Nanhua. They support forest collection, wholesale trading, catering, processing, preservation, e-commerce, rural tourism and local festivals.

Junjing Mushroom Town was developed to transform this mushroom industry into a visitor experience where travelers can taste mushrooms, learn about fungi, photograph themed buildings, shop for local products and enjoy seasonal evening events.

Main Areas of Junjing Mushroom Town

Giant Mushroom Landscape Area

The colourful mushroom-shaped building complex is the most recognizable part of Junjing Mushroom Town.

Dozens of structures imitate mushroom caps in different shapes and sizes. Some resemble clusters of wild mushrooms emerging from a forest floor, while others combine mushroom forms with architectural elements inspired by Yi villages and mountain settlements.

At night, decorative lighting creates a fantasy-forest atmosphere. The mushroom roofs and surrounding installations become especially photogenic after dark.

Popular photography locations include:

• The mushroom-building cluster
• Mushroom Canopy Square
• The mushroom-themed entrance sculptures
• Elevated views over the central pedestrian street
• The illuminated mushroom roofs
• The main nighttime performance square

Some mushroom houses are planned or operated as cafés, snack shops, cultural-product stores and small visitor-experience venues. Shop availability varies by season.

Best Photography Tips

Arrive between 17:30 and 18:30 to photograph the buildings in daylight and remain until the lighting is switched on.

For portraits, use the pedestrian spaces between the mushroom houses rather than standing immediately beside the largest structures. A wider angle creates a stronger “mushroom forest” effect.

The best aerial-style views are usually obtained from surrounding elevated areas. Drone use must comply with local flight restrictions and on-site management rules.

Wild Mushroom Dining Area

The dining area focuses on Nanhua’s local wild mushroom cuisine, particularly during the rainy-season mushroom harvest.

Typical dishes include:

• Wild mushroom and free-range chicken hotpot
• Ganbajun mushroom fried rice (干巴菌炒饭)
• Fried jizong mushrooms (油炸鸡枞)
• Bolete clay-pot rice (牛肝菌焖饭)
• Stir-fried qingtoujun mushrooms (清炒青头菌)
• Wild mushroom soup
• Nanhua black-goat hotpot

Restaurants may offer set mushroom meals, individual dishes and group banquets during major events.

The commercial district continues to develop its tenant mix. Most restaurants and snack stalls operate during the peak mushroom season from July to October, while fewer choices may be available during the quieter months.

Mushroom-Themed Coffee

Mushroom-inspired drinks and desserts are among the district’s more unusual attractions. Some cafés have experimented with jianshouqing-themed coffee (见手青主题咖啡) and mushroom-shaped desserts.

These products are mainly creative culinary concepts. Availability depends on the current café operator and seasonal menu, so visitors should check on arrival.

Mushroom Culture and Digital Experience Area

The cultural section introduces Nanhua’s wild mushrooms from ecological, culinary and safety perspectives.

Possible displays and seasonal activities include:

• Representative edible mushroom specimens
• Poisonous mushroom identification panels
• Comparisons between edible and toxic species
• Mushroom-growing demonstrations
• Forest ecology displays
• Interactive mushroom-recognition activities
• Virtual mushroom-collecting experiences
• Educational activities for children

During major festivals, the district may install living mushroom beds, mushroom-scent identification stations and interactive displays showing how mushrooms travel from the forest to the dining table. The 2026 festival programme, for example, included live fungus beds, mushroom exhibits and sensory educational activities.

These displays are useful for general education, but visitors should never use photographs, mobile applications or exhibition comparisons as the sole basis for deciding whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshops

The district also connects mushroom culture with the traditions of the Yi ethnic group (彝族) and other communities in Chuxiong.

Products and demonstrations may include:

• Yi embroidery (彝绣)
• Traditional textiles
• Mushroom sauces
• Oil-preserved jizong mushrooms (油鸡枞)
• Dried wild mushrooms
• Local agricultural products
• Handmade souvenirs
• Mushroom-themed cultural products

The street’s official development concept combines wild mushroom dining with intangible cultural heritage, agricultural-product sales, cultural creativity and nighttime tourism.

Seasonal Night Market and Performance Square

The night market is liveliest during the wild mushroom season, especially from July to September.

Activities held during previous mushroom festivals have included:

• Yi left-foot dancing
• Ethnic music and dance performances
• Wild mushroom banquets
• Outdoor concerts
• Electronic music performances
• Creative markets
• Mushroom competitions
• Local food stalls
• Cultural parades

During the 2025 opening festival, the district hosted a large wild mushroom hotpot banquet, mushroom-themed performances, Yi cultural activities, fashion events and nighttime entertainment.

Special events are not held every evening. Travelers visiting outside a festival should regard the architecture, dining and evening lighting as the main attractions.

Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center

The Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center is immediately beside Junjing Mushroom Town and should be included in the same visit.

The center opened in August 2024 and is described by Yunnan provincial authorities as China’s largest wild mushroom trading center. It covers more than 73 mu, with approximately 26,000 square metres of floor space, 137 shops and 200 market stalls.

Its main areas include:

• Fresh wild mushroom retail and wholesale stalls
• Mushroom sorting and processing areas
• E-commerce displays
• Preserved mushroom products
• Wild mushroom specimen exhibits
• Prepared-food and mushroom-dining areas
• Agricultural-product shops
• Yi embroidery and cultural displays

Best Time to Visit the Market

During the main mushroom season, trading begins very early in the morning. Professional buyers, restaurant operators and wholesalers often arrive before ordinary tourists.

For the broadest selection of fresh mushrooms, visit in the morning. Afternoon visits are still worthwhile, although certain varieties may have sold out.

Exact operating hours vary with the daily harvest, weather and time of year.

Mushroom Purchasing Tips

Fresh mushroom prices change daily according to supply, species, size and quality. Compare several stalls before purchasing.

Ask the seller to confirm:

• The mushroom’s Chinese name
• Whether it is edible
• How it should be cleaned
• The correct cooking method
• Whether pre-boiling is necessary
• How long it can be stored

Keep different mushroom species in separate bags. Avoid tightly compressing soft mushrooms, as bruising and heat can accelerate deterioration.

Never purchase mushrooms you cannot confidently identify, especially from unregulated roadside vendors.

The trading center may provide cleaning, sorting or cooking services through individual businesses. Confirm the processing method and fees directly with the operator.

How to Get to Junjing Mushroom Town

By Car

Driving is the most convenient option because the district is close to the Nanhua exit of the G56 Hangrui Expressway.

Current route references place central Kunming approximately 184 kilometres from Nanhua, while the distance from Chuxiong is around 35 kilometres and the distance from Dali is approximately 138–145 kilometres. Actual mileage depends on the departure district and selected expressway entrance.

The site is beside the expressway exit, so there is no need to drive deep into the county center before visiting.

Parking

The complex has a large parking area suitable for:

• Private cars
• Tour buses
• Motorcycles
• Campervans
• Electric vehicles

Official project records list nearly 200 parking spaces and charging facilities. Parking arrangements may change during festivals, when temporary traffic controls are sometimes introduced.

By Motorcycle

Standard registered motorcycles may use certain expressways in Yunnan where local signs and entrance management do not prohibit them. Lightweight motorcycles and vehicles with a design speed below 50 kilometres per hour are not permitted on high-grade roads in Yunnan.

Motorcycle riders using an expressway must follow national traffic rules:

• Maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour
• Use the rightmost traffic lane
• Two-wheeled motorcycles must not carry a passenger on an expressway
• Wear an approved helmet
• Follow all entrance signs and toll-station instructions

These requirements are set out in China’s national road-traffic regulations.

Access practices can differ between expressway sections and toll stations. Riders should confirm entry conditions before departure and keep National Highway G320 as an alternative route.

The G56 section around Nanhua includes long slopes and mountain curves. Drivers and riders should keep a safe distance from heavy vehicles and avoid returning through the mountains late at night. A current road-safety notice identifies a section of the G56 in Nanhua as having steep gradients and consecutive sharp bends.

By Train

Nanhua Railway Station (南华站) is served by动车 trains operating along the Kunming–Chuxiong–Dali railway corridor.

Typical journeys from Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南站) to Nanhua take approximately 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes, depending on the train and intermediate stops. Some services take longer. Current schedules should be checked through China Railway 12306 before travel.

Nanhua Railway Station is approximately four kilometres from the mushroom district. A taxi or ride-hailing vehicle normally takes around ten minutes.

There may not be a convenient direct public bus for every train arrival, so arranging a taxi is the simplest choice.

By Bicycle

Long-distance cyclists can approach Nanhua along National Highway G320.

Bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering expressways. Riders should remain on national, provincial and county roads.

The route contains long climbs, freight traffic and sections exposed to rain and fog. Reflective clothing, working lights, rain protection and adequate drinking water are essential.

Recommended Visiting Time

Allow 1.5–3 hours for Junjing Mushroom Town and the adjacent trading center.

A useful schedule is:

• Morning: Visit the trading center when fresh mushrooms are most abundant
• Afternoon: Explore the themed architecture and cultural displays
• Evening: Eat a wild mushroom dinner
• After dark: Photograph the illuminated mushroom buildings

Visitors mainly interested in photography may spend one to two hours. Food lovers visiting during mushroom season can easily spend half a day.

Half-Day Stop between Kunming and Dali

This is the most convenient option for travelers driving between Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali or Lijiang.

Suggested Programme

14:00 – Arrive at Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center

Walk through the market and observe the seasonal mushroom trade.

15:30 – Visit Junjing Mushroom Town

Explore the mushroom-shaped buildings, cultural-product stores and photography locations.

18:00 – Wild Mushroom Dinner

Choose a professionally operated restaurant and try a mushroom hotpot or local mushroom dishes.

20:00 – Night Photography

See the illuminated mushroom architecture before continuing to the hotel or returning to the expressway.

Travelers driving onward should avoid becoming tired after dinner. Staying overnight in Nanhua is safer than continuing through mountain sections late at night.

One-Day Nanhua Mushroom Tour

Morning: Wild Mushroom Market

Arrive early at the Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center.

Observe mushroom sorting, wholesale trading and seasonal varieties such as boletes, jizong mushrooms, ganbajun, matsutake and qingtoujun.

Late Morning: Junjing Mushroom Town

Visit the mushroom buildings and any cultural or educational exhibitions operating that day.

Lunch: Wild Mushroom Hotpot

Select a reputable restaurant with experience preparing seasonal wild mushrooms.

Afternoon: Optional Nanhua Attractions

Choose one of the following:

• Miyilu Ethnic Culture Valley (咪依噜风情谷)
• Liangqihai Wetland Park (两旗海湿地公园)
• Nanhua County center
• Local mushroom-product shops

Evening: Return to Junjing

Return before sunset, have dinner and wait for the buildings to be illuminated.

Stay overnight in Nanhua County.

Central Yunnan Mushroom-Themed Self-Drive Route

A longer mushroom-themed route can connect Nanhua with Yimen:

Kunming – Nanhua Junjing Mushroom Town – Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center – Yimen Wild Mushroom Museum – Lüzhi Ancient Town – 72 Bends of the Lüzhi River – Kunming

This route combines two different mushroom attractions:

• Nanhua focuses on food, trading, themed architecture and night tourism
• Yimen focuses on specimens, mushroom science and poisonous-mushroom education

At least two days are recommended. Three days provide a more relaxed schedule, especially for motorcycle travelers.

What to Eat in Nanhua

Wild Mushroom and Free-Range Chicken Hotpot

The most representative local meal combines seasonal mushrooms with free-range chicken broth.

Restaurants normally cook the mushrooms at the table and advise diners when they are safe to eat. Do not remove mushrooms before the staff confirms that cooking is complete.

Stir-Fried Jianshouqing Mushrooms

Jianshouqing (见手青) is a local name applied to several boletes that change colour after being cut or bruised.

Some varieties can cause serious neurological or gastrointestinal poisoning when incorrectly identified or insufficiently cooked. Only order this dish from a professional restaurant experienced in handling wild mushrooms.

Qingtoujun Mushrooms

Qingtoujun (青头菌) have a delicate texture and are commonly stir-fried, steamed or cooked in soup.

Ganbajun Fried Rice

Ganbajun (干巴菌) is valued for its powerful forest aroma. Finely chopped ganbajun is often fried with rice, green peppers or eggs.

Oil-Preserved Jizong Mushrooms

Oil-preserved jizong mushrooms (油鸡枞) are a popular local product and practical souvenir. They can be eaten with rice, noodles or congee.

Bolete Clay-Pot Rice

Boletes are cooked with rice, seasoning and sometimes cured meat, producing a rich mushroom aroma.

Nanhua Black-Goat Hotpot

Nanhua black goat (南华黑山羊) is an important local specialty unrelated to the mushroom industry. It is often prepared as soup or hotpot and is particularly popular in cooler weather.

Wild Mushroom Safety Rules

Yunnan health and food-safety authorities advise visitors not to purchase or eat mushrooms that are unfamiliar, difficult to identify or obtained from an unknown source.

Official guidance also recommends cooking wild mushrooms thoroughly, avoiding mixed mushroom dishes, never eating them raw or cold, and not drinking alcohol while consuming wild mushrooms.

Follow these rules:

• Eat only at reputable restaurants
• Never eat raw or partly cooked wild mushrooms
• Do not mix many mushroom species in one meal
• Do not drink alcohol with wild mushrooms
• Do not collect unfamiliar mushrooms yourself
• Do not rely on garlic, silverware or colour-change tests
• Avoid purchasing unidentified mushrooms from roadside stalls
• Eat moderate portions

Seek medical attention immediately after eating mushrooms if anyone develops:

• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Confusion
• Unusual excitement or agitation
• Visual disturbances or hallucinations

Yunnan health authorities specifically advise immediate treatment when such symptoms appear.

Where to Stay in Nanhua

Most accommodation is located within three to eight kilometres of the mushroom district.

County-Center Hotels

Hotels in central Nanhua provide convenient access to supermarkets, restaurants and local services.

They are suitable for travelers who plan to explore the county after visiting Junjing Mushroom Town.

Business Hotels

Business hotels around the county center are practical for self-drive and motorcycle travelers. Many provide private or nearby public parking.

Nanhua Xiongfeng Hotel (南华雄峰酒店) is one currently listed local option with parking, although facilities and operating conditions should be verified before booking.

Hotels near the Expressway

Accommodation near the Nanhua expressway exit is convenient for travelers continuing to Dali or Kunming the following morning.

These properties may offer easier parking but fewer shops within walking distance.

Booking during the Mushroom Festival

Hotel demand rises sharply during the annual Nanhua Wild Mushroom Food and Culture Festival, usually held around August.

Reserve accommodation in advance if traveling during the main festival, a public holiday or a major weekend event.

Best Time to Visit

July to September

This is the best period for fresh mushrooms, market trading, mushroom dishes, festival activities and evening entertainment.

August is normally the liveliest month because Nanhua’s annual wild mushroom festival is held during the peak season.

October

Some mushroom varieties remain available, and visitor numbers may be lower than in August. The weather is often more comfortable for driving and photography.

November to May

Junjing Mushroom Town can still be visited for its architecture and photography, but the fresh mushroom selection is smaller.

Some restaurants, stalls and experience venues may operate reduced hours during the off-season.

Important Travel Tips

Visit after Dark

The colourful mushroom buildings are more impressive at night than during the middle of the day.

Arrive in the late afternoon so you can experience both daylight and illuminated views.

Buy Fresh Mushrooms at the Trading Center

Junjing Mushroom Town is primarily a food, cultural and entertainment district.

For the widest fresh mushroom selection, visit the adjacent Nanhua International Wild Mushroom Trading Center.

Manage Expectations during the Off-Season

The district is still developing its commercial mix. Not every mushroom house contains a permanent shop, and some businesses may close during quieter months.

The most dependable attractions are the themed architecture, photography, local dining and the neighboring trading center.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Central Yunnan receives strong ultraviolet radiation even on cloudy days.

Carry sunscreen, a hat and drinking water.

Prepare for Summer Rain

The mushroom season overlaps with Yunnan’s rainy season.

Heavy rain, mountain fog and slippery roads can affect both the expressway and surrounding roads. Check local weather and avoid unnecessary nighttime riding.

Junjing Mushroom Town or Yimen Wild Mushroom Museum?

The two attractions are complementary rather than interchangeable.

Choose Nanhua for a lively food-and-market experience. Choose Yimen for scientific education. Visit both on a two- or three-day central Yunnan mushroom journey for the most complete experience.