The elder brother removes soil attached to the cordyceps while the younger one places the cleaned items on a cloth.[Photo provided to China Daily]

After taking their “trophy” home, they have to gently brush away excess dirt because if the fungus breaks the price will drop sharply.

Local people take their goods to a nearby fair to sell and can also earn cash by selling to vendors who visit .

With social media popular among the younger generation, they also try to sell the valuable herb on Internet platforms such as WeChat or Weibo.

One family can earn about 50,000 yuan ($8,055) during harvest season. Some don’t own their pasture on the plateau but can earn about 20,000 yuan by searching for cordyceps after paying for licensed permission.