The flora kingdom of China

Blooming business: Traders unloading a truck full of flowers at Dounan Flower Market in Yunnan. (Inset) The flowers to be auctioned at Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center.

YUNNAN is well known as the kingdom of flowers, home to 1,500 species including roses, lilies, chrysanthemums, camellias, carnations and orchids.

Located on the highlands at an average of 2,000m above sea level with year-long temperature of around 23°C, adequate sunshine and rain have made it an ideal ground for flower farming.