Abstract: Yunnan was important silver exploiting area in Ming dynasty and the number of mining, silver production and the amount of silver levy were the first in the country. The continuous mining of silver ore made silver an important source of government revenue and expenditure. The implementation of the levy of silver was an important factor for Yunnan’s financial transformation. On this basis, the economic development of Yunnan has more consistency with that of the central plains. The Ming dynasty’s financial system is characterized by central and local governments retaining some financial resources respectively, but it is difficult to divide the boundaries of the central and local fiscal revenue and expenditure. Especially in the late Ming dynasty, silver mining became a convenient channel for the royal family and central government to grab wealth, while the local finance is increasingly embarrassed, and people’s life is also seriously affected.

Key words: Yunnan in Ming dynasty, Silver mine exploiting, Monetization of silver, Financial relations