Isoprene and monoterpene emissions were characterized using flow and enclosure sampling method and GC-MS in USA for 158 species of plants growing in Shenzhen, China. This survey was designed to include all of the dominant plants within the Shenzhen region as well as unique plants such as Cycads. These are the first measurements in a subtropical Asian metropolis. Substantial isoprene emissions were observed from thirty-one species, including Caryota mitis, Adenanthera pavonina var. microsperma, Mangifera indica and Excoecoria agalloch. Monoterpene emissions were observed from fifty-two species, including Passiflora edulis, Bambusa glaucescens cv. silverstripe as well as some primitive and rare Cycadaceae and Cyatheaceae plants. For the first time some of red plants have been measured, most of them have the ability of releasing terpene. These results will be used to develop biogenic emission model estimates for Shenzhen and the surrounding region that can be used as inputs for regional air quality models.