Yunnan

Map

Key data

Items shown in Chinese are kept from the original Chinese source; no English name is available yet.

Highlights

Introduction

• Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La — a land of diverse ethnic cultures.

History

• Yunnan was called Dian in ancient times. During the Warring States period, the Chu general Zhuang Qiao entered Dian, opening the way for exchanges between Yunnan and the interior. Emperor Wu of Han established Yizhou Commandery, formally bringing Yunnan into the territory of the central dynasty. In the Tang dynasty, the Nanzhao Kingdom rose on the shores of Erhai Lake; in the Song dynasty, the Dali Kingdom lasted for several hundred years, and the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple were built during this period. In the Yuan dynasty, Yunnan Province was established, and the name "Yunnan" has been used ever since, with Kunming as the provincial capital. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, merchants traveled ceaselessly along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and Pu'er tea was sold far and wide. In modern times, with the opening of transport routes such as the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, Yunnan's connections with the outside world became closer.

Culture

• Yunnan is one of the provinces with the most ethnic groups in China, where the Han people live in harmony with the Yi, Bai, Hani, Dai, Miao, Zhuang and other ethnic groups, creating a rich and diverse ethnic culture. Festivals such as the Dai Water-Splashing Festival, the Yi Torch Festival and the Bai Third Month Fair are lively and grand; the Naxi Dongba culture is simple and mysterious, and Bai tie-dye craftsmanship is exquisite. Yunnan cuisine is sour, spicy, fresh and savory, with dishes such as Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles and Steam-Pot Chicken famous at home and abroad. Pu'er tea culture has a long history, the camellia is the provincial flower, and flowers bloom throughout the four seasons, making it truly a "kingdom of plants" and a "treasure house of ethnic culture."

Science & Technology

• Yunnan has unique advantages in plateau agriculture and biotechnology, and universities such as Yunnan University and Kunming University of Science and Technology continue to strengthen their research capabilities. The Germplasm Bank of Wild Species in Southwest China preserves vast resources of rare species, and research and breeding technologies for flowers, tobacco, coffee and other industries lead the country; the Dounan Flower Market in Kunming is Asia's largest flower trading center. Yunnan is rich in hydropower resources, and the large hydropower station clusters on the Jinsha and Lancang rivers form a world-class clean energy base. Industries such as biomedicine and new nonferrous metal materials are thriving.

Economy

• In 2025, Yunnan's GDP reached 3,276.578 billion yuan, with per capita GDP of 70,472 yuan. Traditional industries such as tobacco, tourism, nonferrous metallurgy, and hydropower have deep foundations, while green energy, green food, and health tourism lead the direction of transformation. The cultural and tourism economy remains strong, with destinations like Lijiang, Dali, and Xishuangbanna attracting visitors from home and abroad; specialty products such as Pu'er tea, fresh flowers, and wild mushrooms sell well nationwide. With the opening of international corridors such as the China-Laos Railway, Yunnan is turning from a geographic periphery into an open frontier facing South and Southeast Asia.