Freshly harvested Taihu lilies. [Photo/Tide News]

In late June, the lily fields by Taihu Lake began their harvest season.

At Yanglou village in Wuxing district, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, the Taihu lilies are growing well, with small-scale harvesting underway and a peak expected in early July.

The main variety, Lilium lancifolium, known as the "King of Lilies", thrives in the unique "night tide soil" of the area. This soil, rich in organic matter and trace elements, produces lilies with plump, white bulbs that can serve as a culinary delicacy and a healthful ingredient.

Despite its cultivation history of over 400 years, Taihu lily farming waned in the 1990s as farmers shifted to more profitable greenhouse vegetables.

Revival efforts led by Song Xiaofeng — head of Yanglou village — began in 2022, expanding cultivation from one mu (about 0.07 hectares) to dozens of mu. With expert guidance, the farm employs eco-friendly practices, achieving yields of 500 kilograms per mu.

The village has developed lily-based food products, including a traditional tonic soup, which has won provincial awards and been commercialized through partnerships.

In 2025, Taihu lilies were recognized as a core "Huzhou Eight Flavors" product and included in Zhejiang's authentic medicinal materials directory. A new partnership with a traditional Chinese medicine company will soon see them supplied to hospitals across the province and beyond, according to Song.

The village has also introduced various lily species, attracting over 30,000 visitors during the latest blooming season. Future plans include expanding the lily product line and enhancing local tourism, creating a sustainable economic model for the community.