Abstract: Objective To understand epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Yunnan province during 2008-2013 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFMD in Yunnan. Methods The incidence data of HFMD in Yunnan from 2008 to 2013 were obtained from national disease reporting information system for the descriptive epidemiological analysis and Geographic Information System was used to analyze the distribution of the HFMD cases. Results A total of 234 383 HFMD cases were reported in Yunnan during this period. The incidence varied with year, which was 25.26/lakh in 2008,32.84/lakh in 2009, 105.68/lakh in 2010, 85.54/lakh in 2011, 133.28/lakh in 2012 and 128.06/lakh in 2013. The annual incidence peak was during April-July. Up to 86.62% of the cases were children aged Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of HFMD in people living in urban areas and scenic areas and the surveillance for HFMD in rural areas and remote mountain areas in Yunnan, especially in children aged < 5 years during April-July of a year.