In this study, we analyzed the temporal and spatial distributions and long-term linear trend of surfaceair temperatures difference (Delta7) in China. The values of AT were calculated based on the daily surface and air temperature measured at 825 weather stations from 1961 to 2016. The results showed that the annual AT was above 2.5 °C in most of western China and parts of South China, while below 2.5 °C in most of central and eastern China. In spring and summer, the DeltaT was positive and generally distributed meridionally, high in western China and low in eastern China. In autumn and winter, the AT was generally distributed zonally, high in southern China and low in northern China. Especially in some areas of northern China, AT was negative in winter. The average monthly DeltaTin China was positive, but it was relatively low in winter (January and December) and high in summer. The intra-annual distribution characteristics of AT varied across regions. The annual AT in Tibet was the highest in China with the maximum in May prior the rainy season. The regional average AT in the Northeast China, North China, Huanghuai region, Northwest China and Inner Mongolia reached the peak in June before the arrival of the rainy season. The maximum AT appeared in July or August after the rainy season in Yangtze-Huaihe region, Jianghan, south of the Yangtze River and South China. The monthly AT in Southwest China had smaller change and had two peaks respectively in May before the rainy season and August after the rainy season. From 1961 to 2016, the countrywide mean DeltaT displayed an upward linear trend in April and from April to October, while there was no significant linear trend in July and October. The DeltaT had an increasing trend in Northeast China, Northwest China, Inner Mongolia, and western Tibet, while a decreasing trend was identified in central and eastern China.