Based on the results of regional eco-geochemical survey in Pearl River Delta Economic Zone and the local land use patterns, two conventional risk assessment models are introduced to evaluate the ecological risk of eight heavy metals in the topsoil (0~20 cm) of Pearl River Delta. The spatial distribution characteristics of risk caused by metals in the region were characterized by GIS. Results show that As、Cd、Cu and Hg in the topsoil are the primary heavy metals posing risk to the Pearl River Delta while Cr and Zn are negligible. Meanwhile, 23.89% of soil samples have a hazard index of more than 1 which suggests that it is likely to cause chronic diseases in the region. The soils with high hazard index are mainly distributed in the Quaternary area. 37.22% of soil samples have a negligible chronic risk level, of which the spatial distribution is consistent with granite area. Moreover, the spatial distribution of carcinogenic risk is similar to chronic risk, where 25.68% of samples exceed the cancer risk index (1×10^-4) recommended by USEPA. Furthermore, the evaluation results presented at administrative units indicate that there are both higher chronic and cancer risk in Panyu and Nansha district where more attentions should be paid to.