Extreme heat events in China are occurring more frequently due to global warming. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies analyzing the movement direction and factor interaction of extreme heat events in different regions of China. Based on daily temperature data from 2252 meteorological stations in China from 1980 to 2021, three extreme heat indicators were calculated: Hot days (SU35), Tropical nights (TR20), and Extreme maximum temperature (TXx). The study updated and compared the characteristics of spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of extreme heat events in China and its seven geographical regions.The results show that: (1) SU35 and TR20 increase faster in summer, while TXx increases faster in winter. Nighttime high-temperature events have increased at a faster rate. (2) Extreme heat events in North, Northeast, and Northwest China have gradually moved southward and eastward, while in Central, East, and South China, such events have moved northward. (3) In northeast and northwest China, the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) is a strong driving force for extreme heat events, while urbanization is the most potent driving force in the remaining regions. The interaction between urbanization and atmospheric circulation, including AMO, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and East Atlantic/West Russia (EA/WR), is non-linear or double factor enhancement and exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. These results will be significant for urban adaptation to climate change and sustainable development.