OBJECTIVE: To optimize the drying technology of Zingiber officinale peel and establish its quality standard. METHODS: Moisture content was determined in samples after being dried for different time (0.5-10.0 h) under 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 ℃. Optimal drying time under each temperature was screened by using moisture content of 7%-13% as dryness for controlling standard. Then contents of 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol in samples dried for optimal drying time under different temperatures were measured, using the 4 gingerol contents as indexes to optimize the drying temperature and time. And verification test was conducted. The moisture, total ash, water soluble extract, volatile oil, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol of Z. officinale peel from 10 different producing areas were detected to establish quality standard after being dried with the optimal technology. RESULTS: The drying time of Z. officinale peel under 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 ℃ was determined as 10.0, 4.2, 2.6, 1.5, 1.1 h, respectively. The optimal drying technology was 50 ℃ drying for 10.0 h. Verification test showed RSDs of 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol contents were 1.46%, 1.09%, 1.35%, 1.12% (n=3), respectively. The quality standard of Z. officinale peel was suggested that total ash was no more than 18.0%; water soluble extract, volatile oil, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol were respectively no less than 18.0%, 1.30%, 0.730%, 0.060%, 0.100%. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized drying technology of Z. officinale peel is reasonable, reliable, stable and simple, which provides a scientific basis for standardizing the drying technology and quality standard of Z. officinale peel. The established quality standard is feasible.