Fluids were active in the whole process of orogenesis of the Dabie orogen. Fluids of the Indosinian subduc-tion and collision stages were characterized by high contents of volatile components and high salinity. Evidence from oxygen isotope values indicates that the protoliths of the ultra-high pressure metamorphic rocks underwent pre-subduction interaction with meteoric water at the surface and were subsequently affected by mantle fluids during subduction, collision and progressive metamorphism. The deep-source fluids were mixed with large quantities of meteoric water during exhumation and uplifting of the orogen, resulting in salinity reduction of the fluids and intensification of water/rock interactions in the Yanshanian stage.Fluids of the Dabie orogenic belt could be considered to have formed a mixed meteoric and mantle fluid system. Based upon the behaviour of fluid activity, the Dabie orogen has been divided into the fluid-rich, fluid-poor and fluid-draining regions. Gold deposits are located mostly within the fluid-rich region.