Abstract: A 3D numerical model of hydrodynamic and salinity transport of the Yangtze Estuary under the influence of tide is established based on MIKE3 software. This model is validated with the field measured tidal level, flow velocity, flow magnitude and salinity. The validated model is used to simulate the saline water intrusion caused by sea level rise (SLR) in the Yangtze Estuary in the dry season. The responses of saline water intrusion to SLR in the Yangtze Estuary are analyzed. The results indicate that: the salinity in the upper reach of the North Branch, the South Branch, the North Channel, the South Channel, the North Passage and the South Passage obviously increase due to 1 meter of the SLR, especially when the average salinity of the South Branch entirely exceeds 0.45 psu, however it decreases significantly in the lower reach of the North Branch. This is induced by the increased flow split ratio of the North Branch due to SLR. The greater flood tidal current and flow split ratio of the North Branch due to SLR make stratification phenomenon of salinity increase with the Richardson number reaching 150 in the surface layer. For the South Passage, the bottom stratification phenomenon is weakened and the surface stratification phenomenon is enhanced, however the vertical trend is not apparent.