According to radiosonde data from 100 weather stations, mean monthly atmospheric water content throughout the country is calculated by means of the formula W=1/g∫₀^pqdp. The spatial distributive features of water content and vapour pressure are analysed. As a result, a compact and convenient empirical formula involving only vapour pressure and station elevation is developed for computation of water content. Values computed by the empirical formula are in good agreement with those by the original formula aforementioned. On the basis of the newly computed values, the general distribution of atmospheric water vapour content over China for the significant months is graphically shown and qualitatively analysed.