In this paper, characteristics of the upward, downward longwave radiation and surface effective radiation over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau are analysed by using the upward and downward longwave radiation data observed at Wudaoliang in the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau from September 1993 to August 1994, the longwave radiation data observed at Lhasa, Nagqu, Gerze and Garze stations in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau from August 1982 to July 1983, the longwave radiation data in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Meterorological Experiment (QXPMEX)from May to August 1979 and radiation data in HEIFE of 1991.The result s show that over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the surface effective radiation is larger than that over the plain because the downward longwave radiation is small.The annual variation of surface effective radiation is large in summer and small in w inter over the western Plateau, large in w inter and small in summer over the eastern Plateau, large in spring and autumn and small in w inter and summer over the northern Plateau.The role of surface effective radiation in the surface radiation balance is larger than the surface abledo over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.