KUNMING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Deng Lei embarked on a unique summer vacation with his wife and child in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Instead of heading straight to popular scenic spots, the family's first stop was an unconventional one -- an old-school farmers' market.
"I have never seen such a diverse array of wild mushrooms. I wanted my child to experience this," said Deng, a 33-year-old from central China's Hunan Province, as the family relished the fascinating market tour.
Yunnan people earn their fame for using a wide range of edible mushrooms, herbs and flowers to cook delicacies.
After exploring the market, Deng bought two boxes full of wild mushrooms and had them delivered home before continuing their travels.
The summer tourist season coincides with the peak season for wild mushroom sales in Yunnan, which makes various farmers' markets excellent places to experience the local culture.
According to data from online platforms like Meituan and Dianping, searches for "farmers' market" in Yunnan over the past month increased by over 160 percent from the previous month. For many travelers, touring the farmers' market has emerged as a new way to explore Yunnan.
Yunnan Mushuihua wild mushroom trading center, the largest market of its kind in China, carries a wide variety of edible wild mushrooms, such as Collybia albuminosa mushroom and matsutake mushroom.
Zhai Zhanshi, head of the marketing department of the center, said the average daily passenger flow had exceeded 20,000 over recent days, and many of the visitors to the center were tourists from outside Kunming.
"The internet has played a big part in lifting the popularity of the center," said Zhai, adding that tourists with suitcases have become a unique sight in the market this year.
With an average daily passenger flow of 60,000 during summer, the Daguan Zhuanxin farmers' market in downtown Kunming is a magnet for both locals and tourists.
With its diverse offerings, many of which are local specialties and rarely found in markets in other cities, the market serves as a food museum showcasing the authentic local way of life.
Young people particularly enjoy strolling through the market, trying local foods, and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. After the visits, they often share their culinary adventures and hand-drawn shopping maps on social media.
Data from Meituan and Dianping indicated that in the past month, comments for the market increased by over 60 percent compared with the previous month, making it the most-discussed farmers' market in China.
"The best way to experience a city is by immersing yourself in the local farmers' market," said Liu Ziyu, a young woman from Shanghai.
A single purchase
