Distribution and potential sources of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 6 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) at 18 sampling sites during water drawdown and impoundment period were investigated in surface water and sediment from the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in 2016. In surface water, the ΣPAHs concentrations in the TGR were 3.9-107.6 ng/L (mean value was 39.9 ng/L) and 267.9-1018.1 ng/g (mean value was 490.9 ng/g) in water and sediment, respectively. The ΣPAEs concentrations were 122.4-2884.7 ng/L (mean value was 848.1 ng/L) and 192.9-3473.4 ng/g (mean value was 1253.35 ng/g) in water and sediment, respectively. PAHs and PAEs show significant spatial variations in the TGR. The mean ΣPAHs concentration in water during water drawdown period (June) was higher than that during water impoundment period (December) both in mainstream and tributaries, and the mean ΣPAHs concentration in sediment during water impoundment period was higher than that during water drawdown period in mainstream. The mean ΣPAEs concentration in sediment during water impoundment period was higher than that during water drawdown period in mainstream. Whereas, the mean ΣPAHs concentration in sediment during water drawdown period was higher than that during water impoundment period in mainstream. PAH monomers with (2+3)-ring and 4-ring were dominant in water, and with 4-ring and (5+6)-ring were dominant in sediment. Di-n-butyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate were the dominant PAE pollutants in the TGR. The main source of PAHs in water is a mixture of creosote or coal tar volatilizations, petroleum sources and low temperature combustions of fuels. Whereas, the main source of PAHs in sediments is a mixture of coal and biomass combustions and petroleum sources, and petroleum combustions. The main sources of PAEs in the TGR was plastics and heavy chemical industries, and domestic wastes.