This article aims to study the differences in the photosynthetic characteristics of different tea cultivars. The photosynthetic parameters in the leaves of nine tea cultivars were determined under field conditions, and the light response curves were drawn. The photosynthetic indicators of different tea cultivars were comprehensively evaluated by statistical analysis, principal component analysis, cluster, discrimination analysis and correlation analysis. There were great differences in net photosynthesis rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i). Among them, P_n, T_r of 'Yunshan' and 'Yunkang 10^#' were significantly higher than those of the other tea cultivars (P<0.05), G_s of 'Tian', 'Baohong' and 'Shilixiang' was significantly lower than that of the other tea cultivars (P<0.05), C_i of 'Changningdayezhong' was significantly lower than that of the other tea cultivars (P<0.05). At the beginning of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), differences in the P_n between tea cultivars were not distinct. However, with the increase in PAR, great differences in P_n between tea cultivars appeared. The G_s and T_r of the nine tea cultivars showed two trends with the increase of PAR, 'Xiangguiyinhao' showing a first upward and then trend till to be stable, while other tea cultivars showing an overall upward trend. The C_i of the nine tea cultivars decreased rapidly at first and then tended to be stable. The WUE and iWUE increased first and then decreased with the increase of PAR, and the ability to tolerance of strong drought for 'Changningdayezhong' and 'Xiangguiyinhao' was better than that of the other tea cultivars with a higher WUE and iWUE, and both of them could be used as the drought tolerance tea cultivars suitable for breeding needs. The photosynthetic potential for 'Yunkang 10^#', 'Xiangguiyinhao', 'Yunashan' was better than the other tea cultivars with a higher P_nmax, and they could be used as the high-light-efficiency tea cultivars suitable for breeding needs. The LSP of 'Shilixiang', 'Changningdayezhong' and 'Zijuan' was significantly higher than that of other tea cultivars (P<0.05), and had a strong ability to use strong light. The strong ability to use low light for 'Xiangguiyinhao' and 'Shilixiang' was better than that of the other tea cultivars with a lower LCP (P<0.05). The nine tea cultivars were divided into four groups by principal components and cluster analysis. Correlation analysis indicated that P_n was significantly positively correlated with G_s and T_r (P<0.01).