For the extensive studies of the chemical constituents of Magnollis obovata, the essential oil from Magnolia obovata was obtained by steam distillation. The chemical components of the oil were examined by means of capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 29 of the 75 separated constituents were identified. The content of each component identified was determined by area normalization method, which showed the content of 9 compounds was higher than 1%.