Abstract: We collected 38 samples from the upper reaches of the Ganjiang River, Jiangxi, China, with the aim to clarify the characteristics of heavy metal pollution in the surface sediments The contents of heavy metals in sediments were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS, Agilent 8800). The Nemerov comprehensive pollution index, geoaccumulation index, principal component analysis and sediment quality benchmarks were used to investigate the pollution degree of heavy metals and their possible sources, and to evaluate the ecological risks. The results showed that the average contents of nine heavy metals including W, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb were 12.30, 4.40, 999.84, 9.72, 293.81, 47.66, 2.85 and 1.34, 63.68 mg·kg^-1, respectively. Except for Cr and Cu, the average of heavy metals exceeded the soil background value of Jiangxi Province. The results of Nemerov comprehensive pollution index assessment showed that 47.37% of the sampling points in the surface sediments were seriously polluted, and 28.95% of the sampling points were obviously polluted. The pollution degree was in the order of Zhangshui section > Taojiang section > Gongshui section. According to the results of geoaccumulation index assessment, Mn, As, W and Pb were mildly polluted, while Cd and Hg were moderately or heavily polluted. Results of principal component analysis showed that As, W, Hg and Pb had similar pollution sources, while Cr and Mn had similar pollution sources. The results of sediment quality baseline analysis showed that Cd and Hg were the major heavy metals that might have toxic effects on benthos, mainly distributed in Zhangshui section and Taojiang section.