Objective To understand websites of public hospitals in China.Methods Website search and appraisal were called into play to analyze the percentage and present conditions of websites built by public hospitals in Shanghai,Hubei Province and Gansu Province.Rusults The study found websites in less than 55％ of the public hospitals in these three areas.Those websites in operation provide instant information on hospitals and medical services,yet their online service functions are less satisfactory and website levels vary sharply.Conclusion The authors recommend the Chinese government encourage public hospitals to build websites and enhance their online services.