Every year, ginseng pickers hold a worship event at Changbai Mountain on the 16th day of the third month in the lunar calendar to show their respect to Sun Liang, the pioneer of ginseng picking.

Sun Liang is regarded as the first man to pick ginseng in Changbai area and a symbol of integrity and diligence.

The ginseng picking pioneer worship ceremony opens on April 12 in Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

It is said that Sun harvested ginseng in Changbai Mountain to cure his mother's illness, during which he met with a fellow villager and decided to return to their hometown together after they obtained the rare herb.

During the trip they got separated in the mountains but Sun insisted on finding his fellow picker. Finally, Sun starved to death at the bank of Lagu River, a branch of Hunjiang River at the foot of Changbai Mountain.

Later generations admire Sun's decency and built a tomb for him at the river bank.

Incense is burned to show ginseng pickers' respect for Sun Liang, the pioneer of ginseng harvesting. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Another legend says that Sun once saved Nurhachi, the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and was given titles of "the God of Changbai Mountain."

Worshipping Sun Liang has become a significant folk festival in Jilin province and the event passes on not only respect for the pioneer, but also historic ginseng culture. This year, the worship ceremony was held on April 12th and has attracted many visitors.

Traditional Chinese desserts are offered to the pioneer of ginseng pickers. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ginseng is called the "King of Herbs" in China. The output of ginseng reached 6,000 tons in Jilin in 2016, accounting for 20 percent of the total output in China.