Based on NCEP-DOE daily reanalysis data (1979-2014) and 2375 aircraft reports of high altitude turbulence (HAT) in China, the spatiotemporal characteristics of HAT over eastern China and their relationship with the tropical central and eastern Pacific sea surface temperature (Niño3.4 SST) are investigated. The focus of the present study is the physical mechanisms linking the tropical SST anomalies (spatial scope: 5°S-5°N, 120°-170°W) and HAT over eastern China. Results suggest that the spatiotemporal patterns of HAT over eastern China are well correlated with the East Asian subtropical westerly jet (EASWJ), since the EASWJ-induced vertical wind shear is the dominant factor affecting the spatiotemporal variations of HAT. In the summer, a positive correlation exists between the HAT intensity and Niño3.4 SST anomalies. In the winter, positive and negative correlation zones both are present over eastern China with 30°N as the dividing line between them. Significant negative (positive) correlation between HAT and Niño3.4 SST anomalies exists in northern (southern) China. The possible mechanism associated with the impact of Niño3.4 SST anomalies on the HAT over eastern China has been proposed to be: the ENSO-related upper troposphere temperature anomalies lead to changes in meridional temperature gradient of upper troposphere, which result in changes in the intensity and position of the EASWJ. The changes in the EASWJ lead to anomalies of vertical and meridional gradients of high-altitude zonal winds, which ultimately affect the temporal-spatial variations of HAT. The ENSO-related upper troposphere temperature anomalies may be caused by changes in the water vapor maxing ratio in the stratosphere.