Yunnan Province is known as "the kingdom of plants and animals", Yunnan is home to a rich variety of foods. As a province with 26 different ethnic groups, the variety of cuisines is an important attraction for tourists.

Yunnan cuisine, also named Dian cuisine, consists of local dishes from Kunming, Northeast Yunnan, Western Yunnan and Southern Yunnan. The characteristics of Yunnan cuisine lie in moderate balance of sour and hot tastes, mellowness in deep oil, freshness, tenderness and sweetness, striving for their original tastes. Most of the ingredients are green, fresh and natural, including vegetables, fruit, bamboo and flowers. The dishes are not too spicy but have excellent flavor.

Northeastern Yunnan: Close to hinterland, it enjoys convenient transportation. Because it has more contacts with central plains, and also borders on Sichuan, the dish here is similar to Sichuan cuisine.
Western and southwestern Yunnan: It's close to Tibet, Burma and Lao. As home to many minorities, the dish here is influenced by Tibetan, Hui and temple food. Minority food is the main body.

Southern Yunnan: Mild temperature, abundant rainfall and rich natural resources are the main features here.