Honeybee species in China were studied on the basis of their geographicaldistribution and differences in morphology, ecology and biochemistry (including esterase enzymes). It is concluded that 6 honeybee species exist in the world Micrapis florea, Micrapis andreniformis, Megapis dorsata, Megapis laboriosa, Apis cerana, and Apis mellifera. Of these 5 are found at the southern end of the Hengduan mountains in China, and it is suggested that honeybees originated in the Himalayaand Hengduan mountains, with an evolutionary descent of Micrapis - Megapis - Apis cerana - Apis mellifera.