Were the pollution levels, characteristics and sources of PAHs related to the population and GDP on both sides of the Hu line? What was the relationship between them? The study summarizes and discusses available data for PAHs in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) from 93 above prefecture-level cities in China in 2000-2019. The results suggested that the concentration of PAHs in PM varied with 7 regions of China in descending order: Northeast (NE) > North China (NC) > Northwest (NW) > South China (SC) > Southwest (SE) > Central China (CC) > South China Sea (SCS). Meanwhile, the mean value of carcinogenic PAHs, non-carcinogenic PAHs, PAHs derived from the burning of organic matter, low molecular weight PAHs, medium molecular weight PAHs, and high molecular weight PAHs in 16 priority PAHs was 53.5%, 46.5%, 80.0%, 16.9%, 45.2%, 37.9%, respectively. Moreover, from NW to NC, the content and pollution of PAHs increased with the increase of population and gross domestic product (GDP). From CC to SW and NC, the content and pollution of PAHs increased with the increase of population and the decrease of GDP. From SW to NW and CC to SC, the content and pollution of PAHs increased with the decrease in population and GDP. In part, PAHs pollution, characteristics and sources of atmospheric PM in Chinese cities broke the Hu line of population and GDP. Therefore, these require the promotion of comprehensive measures that will reduce pollution and sources of PAHs in heavily polluted areas.