The distribution characteristics of heat island intensity was obtained after surface temperature inversion through the use of Landsat TM/ETM+ data,then the contrast of surface temperature spatial distribution was analyzed combined with the underlying surface land cover types in sample areas.The result indicates that there existed obvious heat island effect in Nanchang,and the surface temperature gradually decreased from city center to suburban.The surface temperature was closely related to the nature of the underlying surface.The research results have important reference value to improve ecological environment and slow down the heat island effect for Nanchang.