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 Wuhan section of the Yangtze River. The content of ΣPAHs, LPAHs/HPAHs and individual PAH in three rivers are studied. The sources of PAHs were identified by characteristic ratio that PAHs were generally from combustion in Fujiang and Songhuajiang River, and the source in the Yangtze River was complicated.