In order to protect and utilize ancient tea plant resources, general survey of ancient tea plant resources were conducted in 58 counties of 12 prefectures from Yunnan province from 2010 to 2017. Following the instruction of the Flora of China, a database including these resources and the geographical distribution database were established. On this basis, the ancient tea plant resources in Yunnan were studied about their species composition, geographical distribution characteristics, habitat types and morphological diversity, with the help of geographic information system and statistical analysis. As a result, 474 spots of ancient tea plant resources and 2570 ancient tea plants, which are clarified in 7 species and 6 variants, were identified, implying an abundance of ancient tea plants distributed in this area. These resources were often distributed in Western Yunnan, Southern Yunnan, Southeastern Yunnan and Ailao Mountain Chain. Out of that, Southeastern Yunnan was recognized as a center of the species diversity, and Western Yunnan was a center of endemic species. Three geographic distribution centers containing Camellia taliensis, C. sinensis var. assamica and C. crassocolumna were proposed, consisting of Western Yunnan, Southern Yunnan, and Southeastern Yunnan. Ancient tea plant resources were found with diversifying habitats, and they distributed in primary forest, secondary forest and alpine cultivated land areas. The genetic diversity index of the descriptive characteristics were ranged from 0.58 to 2.05. The abundant morphological diversity was observed with the variation coefficient of 4.37% to 51.03%. A higher variability of vegetative vs. reproductive organs were visualized. Taken together, this study provided important information for the evolution, diversity conservation and rational utilization of ancient tea plant resources in Yunnan, which allowed raising some suggestions on the future protection and exploitation.