Objective To assess the iodine intake of people from iodine rich regions in China and the potential risk of excess iodine intake in these areas. Method Data from the Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002, the recommended water intake; the Chinese Food Composition and the data from iodine surveillance in China were used. The iodine intake of 13 age-sex population groups were estimated by combining the data of food, drinking water and salt consumption with their corresponding iodine content. Results The average iodine intake of all population groups from regions with water iodine concentration from 150 to 300μg/L (A region), no matter iodized salt was consumed or not, was higher than the Recommended Nutrient Intakes(RNIs) but lower than the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs). The average iodine intake of people from regions with water iodine concentration > 300μg/L (B region) was higher than the ULs if iodized salt was consumed, and was in the range between RNI and UL if non-iodine salt was consumed. The iodine intake of individuals from both A and B regions was higher than RNI. The iodine intake exceeding UL was in 10.5% and 24.9% of individuals in A and B regions respectively if iodized salts was consumed; while that was 1.5% and 1.7% if non-iodine salt was consumed. The contribution of iodine from drinking water is higher than that from salt for both regions. Conclusion Iodine intake of people from iodine rich regions are generally adequate and safe in China if non-iodized salt was consumed. The risk of iodine overdosed will be increased if iodized salt was consumed in iodine rich regions. Iodine from drinking water was the main sources of dietary iodine in iodine rich regions.