The contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of 58 soil samples collected from 8 typical ecological demonstration areas in Jiangsu province were analyzed quantitatively. The results showed that the mean content of PAHs in the soils was relatively lower, but with a high variance coefficient. Dibenzo[a,h]anthrace, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[b]fluoranthene were found to be the dominant components of PAHs. In the 8 typical ecological demonstration areas, the highest content of PAHs (49.196 μg/kg) was found in soils from the industry and mining removal areas, while the lowest content of PAHs in soils from the agricultural technological gardens. In industry areas the PAHs mainly come from petroleum input, while in agricultural product bases and science and technology gardens the PAHs mainly from inefficient combustion of fossil fuel. The ecological risk assessment indicated that the low toxicological level of PAHs in soils of the typical ecological demonstration areas, which did not produced the negative influence on organism.