Objective To explore the correlations of expressions of gastric mucosa water channel aquaporin AQP3 and AQP4 and different gastritis types. Methods The gastric mucosa was mounted under gastroscope. The types of gastric mucosa pathology and activity were tested by the common pathohistology. The expressions of AQP3 and AQP4 were determined by immunohistology. Results The expressions of AQP3 and AQP4 of chronic superficial gastritis were significantly higher than those in the non-gastritis group and chronic atrophic gastritis group (P < 0.01), especially in the activity period of chronic superficial gastritis. The expressions of AQP3 and AQP4 of chronic atrophic gastritis group were reduced when compared to those in the non-gastritis group, in spite of no statistical differences between them. While compared to the non-gastritis group , the expression of AQP3 of chronic atrophic gastritis group during the active stage was remarkably decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expressions of AQP3 and AQP4 of gastric mucosa in chronic gastritis in various pathological types are different. AQP3 and AQP4 may be the targeted point , which could be used for the differential diagnosis and treatment of chronic gastritis of different pathological types.