Every July to August, Nyingchi in the Xizang autonomous region enters the matsutake mushroom harvest season. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The picking window is brief. From sprouting to maturity takes just seven days, with a three-day peak period. Nyingchi is considered one of the best habitats, but only experienced locals can reliably locate the mushrooms. Metal tools are avoided during collection to preserve aroma; wooden sticks are used instead.

Dorje, a villager from Guthok in Bomi county, said the season has just begun, and harvests are still small. "We usually collect about 2.5 kilograms a day, but it takes a long walk deep into the forest to find them," he said.