A review of agroforestry practices in one lowland and one highland community of Xishuangbanna [Yunnan, P.R. China] has been carried out. Multilayer homegardens and taungya for fuelwood in the lowlands, tea shaded by natural forest and shellac production in a swidden farming system in the highlands are described. The extention of these agroforestry systems in Xishuangbanna is analyzed. Farming systems are facing problems related to shifting cultivation and to a rapid development of rubber which induce a negative evolution of these agroforestry systems. New agroforestry patterns based on Chinese research work, with rubber trees or with shade medicinal plants, are in extension in villages and in state farms.