By using the monthly MODIS-TERRA aerosol optical depth(AOD) product data at 550nm wave length during 2001-2012 and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the temporal and spatial distribution of AOD in East Asia during May to August was analyzed and the impacts of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) circulation on aerosol distributions were discussed. Four main conclusions are evident: firstly, AOD has significant seasonal variations characteristics from May to August in East China and its adjacent seas, especially in areas near 32.5 °N with high aerosol concentrations. The magnitude and scope of AOD gradually increase and spread, and then decrease and retreat from May to August; secondly, the EASM has a measurable influence on AOD distribution at various degrees through its circulation transportation, which makes AOD decrease in South China but increase in North and Northeast China; thirdly, under the background of extreme strong and weak EASM year, the spatial distributions of the differences of measured AOD is similar to the role of monsoon circulation transportation in July, which reflects the influence of monsoon circulation interannual variability of the EASM on aerosol distribution; finally, the aerosol transportation due to monsoon circulation accounts for the 10%-20% variance of local aerosol changes during the evolution of EASM.