Based on precipitation observation in the Taihu Lake Basin during 1951 ~2011, the tempo -spatial changes of theprecipitation over this area were systematically analyzed in spatial distribution, time trends, periodicity and mutation, by using themethods of empirical orthogonal function decomposition (EOF), Mann-Kendall and Sperman's test and wavelet analysis. By EOF, theannual precipitation fields in the study area were of two main spatial modes, namely the west-east and south-north modes. In thelast 61 years, the flood season precipitation and maximum precipitation within continuous 30 days over the whole basin and itsseven sub-areas had no substantial trends. However, their periodicity is remarkable. The results of this paper provide importantreferences for flood utilization, flood regulation scheme development and climate change adoption for the Taihu Lake Basin.