Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants. This study investigated the occurrence of 16 PAHs in groundwater of representative regions of China (the cities of Lanzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Golmud and in Du’an County) using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs (∑PAHs) were in the range 0–29.06 μg/L (average: 594.8 ng/L). Acenaphthylene (Acy) and Naphthalene (Nap) had the highest detected frequency (74.56 %) and highest average concentration (632.7 ng/L), respectively. The average concentration of ∑PAHs in each study area exhibited the following trend: Lanzhou > Golmud > Du’an dry season > Du’an wet season > Shijiazhuang. The dominant PAHs in the study areas comprised mainly 2–4-ring PAHs, i.e., Nap (38.71 %; Shijiazhuang), BaA (40.09 %; Du’an wet season), Ace (16.84 %; Du’an dry season), Nap (43.51 %; Lanzhou), and BaA (57.43 %; Golmud). Overall, the PAHs of 101 samples were derived primarily from combustion and a small number of samples of PAHs originated from petroleum sources. Owing to strong adsorption in the vadose zone, the concentrations of PAHs in Shijiazhuang groundwater were lower than those in the groundwater of Golmud and Du’an. The groundwater in Du’an, Lanzhou and Golmud exhibits potential carcinogenic risk if consumed without further treatment.