As successive summer rains grace the Spring City, the breeze along the 25th parallel north carries not only a refreshing 21°C coolness, but also the rich, savory fragrance of the mountain forests. With the launch of the second season of the A Letter from Kunming international communication series, Kunming goes beyond the purple romance of the jacarandas, sending rain as its message and mushrooms as its gift. It extends to friends around the world an invitation from the hills — to visit this highland city, discover the magic of Yunnan’s wild mushrooms, and embark on a summer feast of freshness spanning mountains and seas.

Rain Nourishes the Mountains, Awakening an Entire Summer of Freshness

Yunnan is celebrated as the “Kingdom of Wild Mushrooms,” home to more than 900 known species of wild edible fungi — accounting for over 90% of China’s total and nearly 36% of the world’s. Kunming serves as one of the most important distribution hubs for this mountain bounty. Its mild 21°C climate, rolling forested landscapes, and steady summer rainfall create ideal conditions for wild mushrooms to flourish.

As rain nourishes the mountain forests, mushrooms quietly emerge beneath layers of pine needles and rich humus. This year, Kunming’s wild mushroom season arrived earlier than usual. The first Jianshouqing (Suillellus luridus) and Gushu (Lactarius deliciosus) appeared in markets as early as late March. Since April, prized varieties such as Russula virescens, Jizong (termite mushroom), wild morels, and Thelephora ganbajun have gradually entered the market. Today in Kunming, the season’s earliest and most coveted wild mushrooms have already reached dining tables — and this summer feast of freshness is only just beginning.

In Kunming, mushrooms are far more than ingredients; they are woven into the fabric of everyday life. In the early mornings after rainfall, mushroom hunters make their way through misty hillsides. In bustling markets, eager diners and travelers crowd the stalls in search of the freshest finds. By evening, the savory aroma of mushrooms drifts from kitchens into lively alleyways. This gift from nature embodies both Kunming’s most enchanting summer vitality and the deep affection the people of Yunnan hold for their mountains and forests.

From Science Halls to Bustling Streets: Discover the Many Ways to Experience Mushrooms

This invitation to freshness promises not only extraordinary flavors, but also a fully immersive journey from forest to table.

To truly understand the story of mushrooms, visitors can step into the China Wild Mushroom Museum. As the country’s largest and most comprehensive edible mushroom museum, it houses more than 40,000 dried specimens and over 3,000 live strains, spanning edible, medicinal, and poisonous varieties. Here, visitors can explore the astonishing diversity of mushrooms, uncover the science behind their growth, and trace the development of Yunnan’s mushroom industry — gaining deeper insight into the heritage of the “Kingdom of Wild Mushrooms.”

To experience Yunnan’s vibrant mushroom culture firsthand, the Yunnan Mushuihua Wild Mushroom Trading Center — the largest wild mushroom trading market in China — is an essential stop. The market brings together 257 varieties of wild mushrooms, trades species from more than 40 countries and regions, and records annual transaction volumes exceeding 10 billion yuan. Step inside, and the earthy fragrance of mushrooms fills the air: Russula virescens, boletus (porcini), Jizong, morels, and countless others are neatly displayed across the stalls. Vendors skillfully sort and weigh their goods, while diners and tourists speaking accents from across the country pause to make their selections. In front of livestream cameras, hosts send Yunnan’s freshest mountain delicacies to destinations nationwide. Here, visitors can wander from stall to stall, discover the dazzling diversity of wild mushrooms, and feel the vibrant street energy of Kunming at its most vivid.

Ultimately, this mountain gift finds its most beautiful expression on the dining table. A bubbling pot of wild mushroom hot pot is regarded as one of Kunming’s most beloved summer culinary rituals. Built upon a rich bone broth base, freshly picked mushrooms of every variety are carefully added and thoroughly cooked. The broth absorbs their deep umami flavors, creating an extraordinary sweetness that feels like nature’s purest indulgence. Beyond hot pot, classic Yunnan dishes such as stir-fried Jianshouqing with green peppers, oil-preserved Jizong, and Thelephora ganbajun fried rice reveal the remarkable spectrum of Yunnan’s wild mushroom cuisine.

A Fresh Invitation, with Safety First

No matter how delicious wild mushrooms may be, food safety must always come first. To every guest accepting this invitation, Kunming offers an important reminder: remember the “Three Essentials” of eating wild mushrooms — know which species are edible, ensure they are thoroughly cooked, and know the location of the nearest hospital.

Please purchase and consume wild mushrooms only through official markets and reputable restaurants. Never pick or eat unfamiliar mushroom species on your own, avoid mixing too many varieties in a single meal, and refrain from drinking alcohol while consuming wild mushrooms. If symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or dizziness occur after eating mushrooms, induce vomiting immediately if the person is conscious, and seek medical attention at a regular hospital as soon as possible. Bringing a sample of the remaining mushrooms can also help doctors identify the species and provide targeted treatment.

Summer rains fall, mushrooms emerge, and the season of peak freshness has arrived in the Spring City. From the purple romance beneath blooming jacarandas to the earthy fragrance deep within the forests; from scientific exploration in museums to the lively bustle of the markets, and finally to the unforgettable flavors at the dining table — Kunming’s summer offers not only 21°C coolness, but also irresistible umami, warmth, and romance.

Through A Letter from Kunming, the city sends mushrooms as its messenger and itself as a heartfelt gift, quietly awaiting friends from across the globe. This summer, come to Kunming. In the gentle 21°C breeze, embrace this feast from the mountains and carry the aroma and romance of Yunnan’s wild mushrooms into your summer memories.

We also warmly invite every guest who answers this call to share your Kunming mushroom stories on social media platforms including Weibo, Douyin, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube using the hashtags #ALetterfromKunming and #春城有请, and together discover even more summer delights in the Spring City.

连日夏雨落春城，北纬25°的风里，除了21℃的清凉，更添了几分来自山林的鲜醇气息。随着“A Letter from Kunming春城有请”国际传播系列活动第二季启幕，在蓝花楹的紫色浪漫之外，昆明以雨为信、以菌为礼，向全球友人递出一封来自山野的鲜味请柬，邀您走进这座高原城市，解锁云南野生菌的舌尖传奇，赴一场跨越山海的夏日鲜味之约。

雨润山林，唤醒一整个夏天的鲜

云南素有“野生菌王国”的美誉，已知野生食用菌种类达900余种，占全国的90%以上、全球的36%。而昆明，正是这份山野馈赠的重要集散地，21℃的温润气候、连绵的山林植被与连日的夏雨，为野生菌的生长创造了绝佳的环境。

当雨水浸透山林，一朵朵菌子便在松针下、腐殖土中悄然破土。今年昆明的菌鲜季来得比往年更早，3月底首批见手青、谷熟菌便已亮相市场，4月以来青头菌、鸡枞、野生羊肚菌、干巴菌等品类陆续入市。如今在昆明，头水菌的鲜醇已经端上餐桌，这场属于夏天的鲜味盛宴，才刚刚拉开序幕。

在昆明，菌子从来都不只是一道食材，更是一种融入日常的生活方式。雨后的清晨，山林里有寻菌人的脚步；热闹的集市里，菌摊前挤满了挑鲜的食客与游客；傍晚的街巷里，家家户户的厨房飘出菌子的鲜香。这份来自大自然的馈赠，藏着昆明夏天最动人的烟火气，也藏着云南人对山野最赤诚的热爱。

从科研殿堂到市井烟火，解锁菌子的多元玩法

这场鲜味之约，既有舌尖上的极致体验，更有从山林到餐桌、从科普到烟火的全维度沉浸感受。

想要读懂菌子的前世今生，不妨走进中国野生菌博物馆。作为目前国内最大、知识体系最齐全的食用菌博物馆，这里收藏保藏了4万余份干制标本、3000余份菌株，涵盖了可食用菌、药用菌、毒菌等多个板块。您可以在标本长廊里认识千姿百态的菌菇，在科普展区了解菌子的生长奥秘，在专业讲解中读懂云南菌产业的发展脉络，从科研视角解锁“野生菌王国”的深厚底蕴。

想要沉浸式感受云南的菌子烟火，全国最大的野生菌交易市场——云南木水花野生菌交易中心一定不能错过。这里汇聚了257种野生菌，交易品种覆盖40余个国家和地区，年交易量超百亿元。走进市场，菌香扑面而来，青头菌、牛肝菌、鸡枞、羊肚菌等品类整齐陈列，摊主们熟练地分拣、称重，操着各地口音的食客与游客驻足挑选，直播镜头前，主播们正把云南的菌鲜发往全国各地。在这里，您可以沉浸式逛遍各个菌摊，认识五花八门的野生菌，感受属于昆明最鲜活的市井烟火。

最终，这份山野的馈赠，会在昆明的餐馆里完成最美的绽放。一锅翻滚的野生菌火锅，是昆明夏天最具仪式感的舌尖盛宴。骨汤打底，新鲜采摘的各色菌子悉数入锅，经过充分烹煮，汤汁吸饱了菌子的鲜醇，入口便是满口鲜甜，每一口都是大自然的极致馈赠。除此之外，青椒炒见手青、油鸡枞、干巴菌炒饭等经典滇味做法，更能让您全方位解锁云南野生菌的百变风味。

鲜味赴约，安全为先

野生菌虽美味，食用安全始终是第一位。在此也提醒每一位赴约的食客，牢记野生菌食用“三熟”原则：熟悉可食用的菌种、菌子烹饪要完全熟透、前往医院的路线要熟悉。

请务必通过正规市场、正规餐饮渠道购买和食用野生菌，不随意采摘、食用不认识的野生菌种，不混炒多种野生菌，食用野生菌时不饮酒。若食用后出现恶心、呕吐、头晕等不适症状，需立即催吐，并尽快前往正规医院救治，最好携带剩余菌子样品，以便鉴定种类、对症治疗。

夏雨落，菌子生，春城鲜，正当时。从蓝花楹下的紫色浪漫，到山林深处的菌香四溢，从博物馆里的菌菇科普，到市井集市的烟火人间，再到餐桌上的极致鲜味，昆明的夏天，既有21℃的清凉，更有藏不住的鲜醇与浪漫。

“A Letter from Kunming春城有请”，以菌为媒，以城为礼，静候全球友人赴约。这个夏天，来昆明吧，在21℃的清风里，赴一场山野鲜味之约，把云南的菌香与浪漫，藏进夏日的记忆里。

我们也诚邀每一位赴约的友人，通过微博、抖音、Facebook、X、TikTok、YouTube等社交平台，分享您与昆明菌子的鲜味故事，带上话题#ALetterfromKunming #春城有请，一起解锁春城夏天的更多美好！