OBJECTIVE：To evaluate the quality of inflorescence of Coptis chinensis from different altitude with different growth years and drying processing methods ，and to provide reference for its utilization and quality control. METHODS ：The contents of total flavonoids and berberine hydrochloride in 24 batches of inflorescence of C. chinensis （S1-S24）from different altitude with different growth years and drying processing methods were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC. Using the contents of total flavonoids and berberine hydrochloride as indexes ，and taking the short drying time as the best ，the weight ratios of total flavonoids content ，berberine hydrochloride content and standardized value of drying time were 30，40 and 30，respectively；comprehensive score was calculated ，then the quality of 24 batches of samples was evaluated. Using the contents of total flavonoids and berberine hydrochloride as variables ，systematic cluster analysis was performed for 24 batches of samples by using SPSS 19.0 statistical software. RESULTS ：For inflorescence of C. chinensis with altitude about 1 200 m and the growing years of 4 years and above ，the higher the comprehensive score （84-94 score）and the better the quality were. The comprehensive score of inflorescence of C. chinensis procesed by gradient drying method was generally higher than samples processed by other methods. Results of cluster analysis showed that S 1-S4，S9，S10，S13-S18 were clustered into one category ，and other 12 batches were clustered into one category ， which were basically consistent with the results of comprehensive scoring method. CONCLUSIONS：Different altitude ，different growth years and different drying processing methods have certain effects on the quality of inflorescence of C. chinensis ，among which the samples processed by gradient drying method with growth altitude of 1 200 m，growth years of 4 years and above are the best.