Jade Dragon Snow Moutain Chinese Caterpillar Fungus in Lijiang

Yulong Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) is located in Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省), and is a renowned nature reserve and tourist destination. Known for its stunning landscapes, it is also a habitat for a variety of medicinal plants, among which Cordyceps sinensis (冬虫夏草) is particularly precious.

Cordyceps sinensis primarily grows in alpine meadows above 3,000 meters in elevation. It only appears during the sunny weather following the snowmelt from May to July each year. The alpine meadows of Yulong Snow Mountain provide an ideal environment for the growth of Cordyceps sinensis.

Cordyceps sinensis consists of a caterpillar body connected to a fungal stroma, with a total length of about 9 to 12 centimeters. The caterpillar body is dark yellow, with transverse wrinkles on the back and eight pairs of legs on the underside. The fungal stroma grows from the head of the caterpillar, forming a club-shaped structure with a grayish-brown surface.

Cordyceps sinensis is warm in nature and sweet in taste. It is known for its ability to replenish deficiencies, enhance vital energy, relieve cough, transform phlegm, and fight cancer and aging. It also has antibacterial, anti-asthmatic, cardiotonic, and blood pressure-lowering effects. In traditional folk medicine, Cordyceps sinensis is often used in soups, such as with pork ribs or chicken and duck, to treat conditions like yang deficiency, physical weakness, and post-illness debilitation.

The harvesting season for Cordyceps sinensis is late spring and early summer, when its active ingredients are at their highest levels. Due to its rarity, the collection and trade of Cordyceps sinensis are strictly regulated to ensure the sustainable use of this resource.

Yulong Snow Mountain is not only a habitat for Cordyceps sinensis but also famous for its unique natural environment and rich biodiversity. Visitors can appreciate the beautiful snow mountain landscapes while learning about the precious natural resources of this land.