Flue-cured tobacco samples from Lincang tobacco growing area was used to investigate the effects of harvesting methods (upper leaves harvest completed by two primings at regular interval and by one priming) on physical character, chemical composition and economic character of the upper leaf. The results showed that single leaf weight and weight per leaf area of the top 1st-3rd leaves by one-priming were higher than those by two-priming. No significant difference was observed in the tensile strength, filling value and stem content of the top 1st-3rd leaves between the two methods. The single leaf weight, weight per leaf area, leaf thickness, tensile strength of the top 4th-6th leaves by one-priming were lower than those by two-priming. Comparing with two-priming, the leaves harvested by one-priming contained more total sugar and reducing sugar, but less nicotine, total nitrogen and Cl, the chemical composition in cured leaves was more harmonious, offered better smoking quality, but slightly lower yield and output value.