Abstract: To understand the pollution characteristics of atmospheric particles and heavy metals in Chang-Zhu-Tan metropolitan area, TSP and PM₁₀ samples were collected in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan in November 2011. Sampling was also concurrently conducted in Beijing for comparison of the concentrations of TSP and PM₁₀. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb and As) in both TSP and PM₁₀ samples were measured. Results showed that the average TSP concentrations in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan were all less than that in Beijing, with the lowest concentration (110±48) μg/m³ in the background site (Shaping station, Changsha). The average concentration of PM₁₀ in Zhuzhou was similar to that in Beijing, but slightly higher than those in Changsha and Xiangtan. The lowest concentration of PM₁₀ also occurred in the background site, Shaping station of Changsha. The average ratio of ρ(PM₁₀)/ρ(TSP) was 85.90%, ranging from 70.26% to 95.80%. Concerning heavy metals, the ρ(Cr), ρ(Hg), ρ(As), ρ(Cd) and ρ(Pb) were 37.7-60.7,0.2-1.5,2.7-92.0,4.2-36.8and 142.9-508.3ng/m³, respectively, in TSP samples, while they were 20.4-33.5,0.1-1.0,0.6-74.2,3.8-31.9and 126.1-432.4ng/m³, in PM₁₀ samples, in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan respectively. The enrichment factor of Cd was the highest (475.8-4690.7,0.5-7489.8in TSP and PM₁₀), followed by Hg, Pb, and As, while that of Cr was the lowest (7.8-33.3,9.1-33.6in TSP and PM₁₀) among heavy metals.