Levels of genetic diversity within and among seven wild populations of Chimonanthus praecox were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. 253 bands were amplified by three informative and reliable primers screened, of which 218 (86.17%) were polymorphic., Genetic differentiation coefficient among populations was 0.2906, which indicated genetic differentiation mainly occurred within populations. The level of genetic diversity of Ch. praecox was relatively high in terms of Neis gene diversity index (0.2933) and Shannon’s information index (0.4487).Genetic diversity difference among populations was relatively high based on the percentage of polymorphic loci ( PPL ) ranged from 65.44％ to 87.16％, Neis gene diversity index ranged from 0.1653 to 0.4012 ,and shannon’s information index ranged from 0.3132 to 0.5603.The genetic diversity levels of population Shennongjia(SN) and Baokang(BK) were higher than other populations investigated. UPGMA cluster analysis was performed based on Nei and Li genetic similarity with soft NTYSIS2.01, however, the clades formed including seven populations. differed form cluster by geographic distance. Finally ex situ and in situ conservation of wild Ch. Praecox populations were suggested.