The Camellia in Yunnan is noted for its big flowers and fresh colors. One camellia tree may bear 10,000 fiery-red flowers. The flower was discovered more than 1,300 years ago and was domesticated in the Sui and Tang dynasties. Their numbers began to multiply during the Song Dynasty and began to spread more widely after the Yuan Dynasty.

Camellia in Yunnan was originated from Tengchong County in the province's western region. Tengchong has an ideal environment for growing camellias as there are numerous mountains and rivers within the county with mild weather, ample rainfall, dense humidity and acid soil. There are still a number of wild camellia forests in the county. An 800-year-old largecamellia tree as tall as 16.5 meters high is found in Chaoyun Town of Yunhua District, with a diameter of 62 cm and its upper pan covering an area of about 50 square meters. There is a large semi-wild camellia forest totaling about 1.500 hectares, which appears as a colorful explosion of green and red blossoms during the season.

The Yunnan camellia is a member of the tea family with evergreen leaves and flowers of diameters ranging from 5-22 cm and colors of white, pink, silvery red, peach, violet red and dark purple. There are more than 100 different varieties. The most common are: Lion's head, Tongcai Pian, Early Peach, Peony tea, Dali Tea, Big Peach and Tea. Hentiangao and Tongzimian are the most prestigious.

Tourist Arts and Crafts Service
Specializes in flower and bird paintings, pottery and porcelains, drawn work and embroidery, lace umbrellas and fans, jade, necklaces made of precious stones, pearls and jewelry, jade carvings, bamboo, rattan and straw products, and batik clothing.
Address: 200 Qingnian Road, Kunming 650021
Tel: 3162200

Yunnan Cultural Relics Store
Business line : paintings and calligraphy by famous artists, antiques, jewelry, jade-ware, various other arts and crafts.
Address: Science and Technology Building, Qingnian Road, Kunming 650021
Tel: 3161296