Abstract: The present study is envisaged to investigate the chemical characteristics and formation mechanism of the shallow groundwater, one of the main sources for agricultural and domestic water in Bozhou City, Anhui Province. 143 samples of shallow groundwater were analyzed and evaluated by specifically using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, ion ratio coefficient and Piper three-line diagram. The results reveal complicated chemical types of shallow groundwater in Bozhou City as follows: the contents of the cations and anions in the shallow groundwater are found to be in the order Na⁺> Mg²⁺> Ca²⁺ and HCO^-₃> SO^2-₄> Cl^-, respectively. The hydrochemical characteristics are controlled by water-rock interaction, evaporation, and comparatively less influenced by the atmospheric precipitation and human factors. The exchange between the cations, weathering and dissolution of silicate and carbonate minerals dominate the water-rock interaction during the formation of shallow groundwater. In terms of human activity, the domestic pollution and agricultural activities are found to be more influential in hydrochemistry than industrial and mining activities. The ordinary grade of groundwater quality is IV. The key influencing factors in Ⅳ and Ⅴ grade water are F^-, Na⁺, total hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS). The primary irrigation water is medium-quality, mainly affected by ultra-concentration of Na⁺. The research results on the mechanism of groundwater chemical genesis can lay a scientific basis for the investigation and evaluation of groundwater in the Huaihe River Basin and its sustainable exploitation and management.