Geothermal resources and multi-phases granite are widely developed in igneous rock regions of South China and they have close relationships. Studies on differentiation properties and enrichment mechanism of rare earth elements (REE) of granite rock have been done a lot while that for geothermal water is seldom. Taking Tangkeng geothermal field in Guangdong province, this paper focuses on chemical properties and species of REE of geothermal water as well as their influencing factors. Methods: Geothermal water, shallow groundwater and RongJiang river water samples were collected and analyzed for pH, TDS, chemical components and REE. The REE data were normalized using PAAS standards before discussion. Inorganic species of REE were calculated using PHREEQC which is a widely used geochemical program. Results: The REE concentration of geothermal water is ranging from 20 ng/L to 204 ng/L and is lower than that of shallow groundwater (64~275 ng/L) and Rongjiang river water (131~264 ng/L). Unlike the relative smooth pattern of REE in granite, REE of geothermal water, shallow groundwater and Rongjiang river water show consistent right deviation pattern. All of them has obvious negative Ce anomaly and positive Eu anomaly. Conclusions: Geothermal water exhibits REE distribution pattern with positive Eu anomaly and negative Ce anomaly enriched by MREE. This is probably caused by silicate minerals dissolution under alkaline conditions. REE content show positive correlations with pH and also its species are affected by pH. REE of alkaline geothermal water are dominated by complex of Ln（CO3）-2 and LnCO+3 while that of neutral Rongjiang River water and slightly acid shallow groundwater are mainly composed of LnCO+3 and Ln3+ with certain content of LnSO+4, respectively.