GR3 has a simple structure, a parsimonious number of parameters which are easy to be calibrated. It is a lumped and conceptual hydrological model for rainfall-runoff simulation. In order to test its applicability in China, seven representative basins were selected from the river systems of the Yangtze, Yellow, Huaihe and Songhuajiang. The simulation was assessed with 4 criteria. The study demonstrates that GR3 is satisfactory in long term continuous and event simulation and water balance, stable between the periods of simulation and validation, and has better performance in humid areas than semi-humid ones. It can be concluded that GR3 is applicable in China.