Illicium anisatum was bred under four different light intensity. Those condition were full sunlight(PPFD $1600{mu} mol;m^{-2}s^{-1}$), 30% treatment(PPFD $400{mu} mol;m^{-2}s^{-1}$), 50% treatment(PPFD $250{mu} mol;m^{-2}s^{-1}$) and 70% treatment(PPFD $100{mu} mol;m^{-2}s^{-1}$), respectively. Chlorophyll a and b were increased according to decrease of light intensity. Thirty percent and 50% treatment had not significant different in chlorophyll a and b. Thirty percent treatment was shown the best photosynthetic activity through invested photosynthetic rate, intercellular $CO_2$ concentration and water use efficiency. Photosynthetic activity trend of 50% treatment was similar to 30% treatment. Seventy percent treatment was shown the best photosynthetic activity at low light intensity but that was decreased to lower value than 30% and 50% treatment under high intensity. Control, bred full sunlight, was shown the worst photosynthetic activity at measured all light intensity. That result could imply that was caused by photo-inhibition because of long term exposed of shade tolerant plant at high light intensity. Leaf characteristics had not significant different in leaf length, width and area but leaf dry weight had similar trend to photosynthetic activity.