Abstract: A erosol optical depths over 16 meteorological observatories in China during 1990 are retrieved from brordband solar radiation data. Based on these depth data, a paramet erization relationship of the aerosol optical depth with the surface visibility and water vapour pressure is developed. The model is more suitable for the aerosols in China than Elterman model. Furthermore, it is found that there is a smoot her decrease with the height in aerosol concentrations over many sites in China compared with Elterman model.