Objective: To analyze the current situation of syphilis in the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) clinic, from January 1994 to December 2002 was studied. Methods: All syphilis patients were confirmed by history, physical examination, dark-field microscopy of samples taken from the chancre or satellite lymph nodes,or positive serological tests. Results: From 1994 to 2002, there were 2067 cases of early syphilis, accounting for 20.01% (2067/10330) of all STD cases. The annual proportion of syphilis cases among all STD cases from 1994 to 2002 was 0.57%, 0.53%, 3.54%, 16.20%, 31.29%, 27.88%, 25.63%, 17.11%, 10.48%, respectively. Of 2067 syphilis patients,49.64% (1026/2067) were male and 50.36% (1041/2067) were female. 44.75% (925/2067) of all cases presented with primary syphilis, 44.90% (928/2067) with secondary syphilis, 9.77% (202/2067) with latent syphilis (without any conspicuous clinical signs or symptoms), and 0.58% (12/2067) with congenital syphilis. The 30-39 year old cohort accounted for the largest proportion, at 37.68% (779/2067) of all syphilis cases. The 20-29 year old cohort also accounted for a large proportion, at 37.20% (769/2067) of all cases,followed by the 40-49 year old cohort, at 17.95% (371/2067). Syphilis was most prevalent among the unemployed,self-employed laborers, and office workers in decreasing order. The majority of cases were graduates of either primary school, high school, or college. Of all syphilis cases, 87.86% (1816/2067) were married, and 12.14%(251/2067, including children) were unmarried. 76.78% (1587/2067) of all cases were acquired through extramarital intercourse. 14.03% (290/2067) of cases were infected by their spouses. 0.58% (12/2067) of cases were due to vertical transmission. 8.61% (178) of cases were acquired through indirect contact. Conclusion: The proportion of syphilis infection among all STDs remained stable from 1994 to 1995,quickly and dramatically increased from 1996 to 1999,and