There is an old folk saying, "Those living by mountains live off the mountains; those living by waters live off the waters", as well as another proverb, "Each land nurtures its own people". These sayings ring especially true in the Greater Khingan Range. Locals describe the region’s abundant natural resources with a vivid line: "Shimmering fish swim in rivers, fragrant mushrooms grow in forests, rare birds soar in the sky, and exotic beasts roam the mountains". As such, the area boasts a wealth of native specialties, all harvested from its mountains, which fall into three main categories.

The mountains of the Greater Khingan Range teem with a variety of nutrient-dense wild fruits boasting unique flavors. Tourists can pick them fresh while hiking through the woods; wild blueberries and mountain grapes, for instance, can be eaten straight off the branches for an authentic, fresh taste. Multiple local processing plants turn wild mountain fruits into wine and beverages, which are sold in all supermarkets across the region.

Delicate Dahurian rhododendron blossoms bloom amid glistening ice. Beneath thick snowdrifts lie green cowberry shrubs dotted with tiny crimson berries. The striking contrast of red fruit against white snow speaks volumes about nature’s tenacious vitality.

A distinctive wild fruit grows across the Greater Khingan mountains: the wild blueberry, also known as dushi. With its sweet-and-sour tang and natural deep hue, it evokes the tender sweetness of first love, utterly captivating and delightful.

In recent years, a trend of returning to natural, light, unrefined cuisine has swept across the country, sparking widespread popularity for wild mountain vegetables. Once overlooked, the nutrient-rich wild greens of the Greater Khingan were long neglected due to difficult transportation. As public awareness of natural food grew, wild native vegetables were nearly overharvested. Almost all wild vegetables available for sale today are artificially cultivated. Standout varieties include wormwood sprouts and ostrich ferns—an absolute must-try when visiting the region!

This category covers wood ear mushrooms, wild mushrooms, and ganoderma lucidum (reishi). Wood ears and wild mushrooms are household staples widely enjoyed on dining tables, thanks to the lush, expansive forests of the Greater Khingan Range that yield these fungi in abundance. If you travel to Northeast China, purchasing dried fungi to take home is well worth it; they taste far more authentic and come at a more affordable price than those sold elsewhere.

Reishi is available in two forms: medicinal-grade specimens and ornamental bonsai reishi. The decorative bonsai varieties are purely for viewing and have no medicinal effects, and can be selected freely based on color and shape. However, if you intend to buy reishi for medicinal use, only purchase it from licensed pharmacies. Never buy wild reishi from random locals in the mountains—you will almost certainly be scammed.