Wild Mushroom Gourmet Festival in Nanhua County, Chuxiong

Nanhua County, located in central Yunnan Province, in the western part of Chuxiong Prefecture, boasts vast forested areas with diverse forest types that nurture a rich variety of wild mushrooms. The county leads the nation in the diversity, quantity, and quality of its wild mushrooms. There are over 290 known species of edible wild mushrooms in the area, with an annual stock volume exceeding 10,000 tons. Nanhua is home to the “Four Famous Mushrooms” and “China’s Top Ten Mushrooms,” including Matsutake and Boletus, which are highly nutritious and exported to countries such as Japan and South Korea. The county has developed a sizable wild mushroom trading market, becoming a significant distribution center for wild edible mushrooms in Yunnan. In recent years, leveraging its abundant wild mushroom resources and strategic transportation location, Nanhua County has focused on the development strategy of “small mushrooms, big industry.” This has led to significant progress in the under-forest economy centered on wild mushrooms. The “Wild Mushroom Kingdom” brand has continually grown in reputation, making the wild mushroom industry a sunrise industry that boosts the county’s economic development and increases farmers’ incomes. In 2022, Nanhua’s wild mushroom trading volume reached 11,100 tons, with a comprehensive output value of 5.291 billion yuan.

Nanhua County Party Secretary Ma Te mentioned that the people of Nanhua, inspired by their forest-grown wild mushrooms, have created a unique culinary culture rich in diverse mushroom dishes. The “China • Nanhua Wild Mushroom Food Culture Festival” was established to celebrate this heritage. Since its inception in 2003, the festival has been held 19 times, becoming a grand event of ethnic culture, a platform for cooperation and exchange, and a festive occasion for the public. Nanhua now boasts numerous “Yunnan Famous Restaurants,” multiple “Yunnan Famous Dishes and Banquets,” and several “Yunnan Culinary Masters.” Visiting Nanhua to enjoy mushroom delicacies has become fashionable and widely recognized.

Upcoming Event

The much-anticipated “Second Encounter with Chuxiong – The 20th China Nanhua Wild Mushroom Food Culture Festival” will take place from August 4 to 13. This festival invites everyone to experience the lush landscapes, pastoral poetry, and rich mushroom culture of Nanhua. This invitation was extended by the county magistrate during the festival promotion event held on July 29 at Kunming Tongde Plaza.

Location and Transportation

Nanhua County is a vital transportation hub between eastern and western Yunnan, historically significant as a trade center on the Southern Silk Road and the Ancient Tea Horse Road. With a forest coverage rate of 71.77%, the county is recognized as the “World’s Wild Mushroom Kingdom,” “China’s Hometown of Wild Mushrooms,” and “China’s Wild Mushroom Food County.” The county is known for its 290+ species of edible wild mushrooms, accounting for 31.2% of the national total.

To enhance the visitor experience, the Nanhua County Culture and Tourism Bureau, led by Deputy Director Zheng Shaocong, focuses on food, accommodation, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment, ensuring quality service and good order to make Nanhua a second home for visitors.

Consumer Assurance

Recognizing that wild mushrooms are premium ingredients often priced higher than ordinary food, the county’s market supervision department has taken steps to stabilize prices and ensure quality. They strictly monitor and prevent price gouging or fraud during the festival to protect consumer interests.

Festival Activities

The festival includes an opening ceremony, cultural performances, a mass run, wild mushroom delicacy tasting, Nanhua specialty dish reviews, Matsutake industry development and management seminars, investment promotion, trade negotiations, and a closing ceremony.

Origin of the Festival

The festival originated in August 2003 to develop Nanhua’s rich edible wild mushroom resources and promote industry growth.