The essence of postgraduate education is about what postgraduate education is,which separates postgraduate education from other education stages and shows an abundance of inherent,stable and deep traits that are characteristic of postgraduate education. This article is clear about all the arguments of scholars and the basis of their stands. Based on the vertical and horizontal views,the general characteristics of postgraduate education will be analyzed. The general characteristics of postgraduate education,namely,its es- sence is summarized as follows: 1. the“exploration”carried out in scientific research; 2. the“specialty”,“innovation”and“techni- cality”of the education process; 3. the“elite”,“high level”and“freedom”of education level,etc. At present and in the future,the innovation and development of postgraduate education in our country should be based on these essential characteristics as the logical starting point and the purpose and mission,and to play the important role in the national innovation system effectively.