In order to find out the PAHs distribution characteristics and differences of origins in different drainage areas all over China, the authors chose Fujiang, Songhuajiang, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as the aim area to represent middle, western and northeastern China, respectively. In this study, the distribution of 16 priority PAHs in the river water samples along the rivers was studied. The results showed that the concentration of PAHs ranged from N.D. to 317.56 ng/L and the highest value appeared in