In order to provide theoretical support to curing methods formulated for flue-cured tobacco varieties, we conducted a systematic flue-curing characteristics study of flue-cured tobacco varieties. The middle mature tobacco leaves of Honghuadajinyuan, Cuibi1hao and Yunyan85 varieties were used as research materials and the colour change characteristics of tobacco leaves and the changes of plastid pigments and water content during the flue-curing process were studied. The results showed that differences in yellowing process and water removal existed in the three tobacco varieties. Fresh and flue-cured tobacco leaves from the flue-cured tobacco varieties Honghuadajinyuan and Cuibi1hao had a higher pigment content and faster degradation rate than Yunyan85. The Cuibi1hao pigment content degradation rate was relatively the fastest during flue-curing with the other featured flue-curing tobacco varieties yellowing more slowly. The ratio of carotenoids and chlorophyll in tobacco leaves of the featured flue-cured tobacco varieties was low and rose slowly, and the ratio of the three tobacco varieties was close to about 2.5 by the end of flue-curing process. Fresh tobacco leaves from Honghuadajinyuan and Cuibi1hao had a total water content and free water content that was higher than Yunyan85, and bound water instead. During the flue-curing process, Honghuadajinyuan had a fast and high loss of free water between 0 and 24 hours causing tobacco leaves to excessively lose water and easily resulted in more green tobacco after flue-curing. Cuibi1hao total water loss was slow and difficult between 0 and 48 hours causing tobacco leaves to yellow more slowly, and this was followed by a fast loss of water between 48 and 96 hours resulting in more stiffening and hanging ash coloured tobacco after curing. The ratio of colour change of Yunyan85 was in accordance with that of water removal. Conclusion: the flue-curing characteristics of Honghuadajinyuan were average, while those of Cuibi1hao were relatively the worst and those of Yunyan85 were relatively the best.