This photo taken on May 23, 2024 shows a caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. From early May to late June every year, caterpillar fungus enters its harvest season in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Found only at high altitudes, caterpillar fungus, known in China as "winter-worm summer-grass," is said to be effective in boosting the immune system.
During the harvest season, the locals will start heading for alpine ground over 4,000 meters above sea level to collect the fungus. The caterpillar fungus harvest time can last over 40 days. For the locals, collecting this precious fungus offers them seasonal jobs and helps increase their income.
In recent years, the average household income could be increased by 20,000 to 60,000 yuan (about 2,760 to 8,282 U.S. dollars) per year by selling caterpillar fungus in Shade Town of Kangding City, one of the main producing areas of the caterpillar fungus. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
People dig caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Tashi Wange (R) and his wife Dekyi seek for caterpillar fungus in Shade Township, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Dekyi digs caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Palmo (L) and her mother Chodron seek for caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
A vendor sprays water to moisturize fresh caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
A local resident keeps caterpillar fungus inside a box in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Tsering Wangdu seeks for caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
A local resident digs caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Nyima Lhamo (R) and her brother Tashi Wangchug have lunch in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
An aerial drone photo taken on May 23, 2024 shows a temporary residence area built by the locals seeking for caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Tashi Wange (R) and his wife Dekyi seek for caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
Nyima Lhamo seeks for caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
A vendor (L) and a local resident negotiate the price of fresh caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
A vendor arranges fresh caterpillar fungus in Shade Town, Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)
