Researchers have identified an association between baseline γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and prehypertension. However, data from China are limited. A cross-sectional study was performed among 2,205 subjects from Heilongjiang Province in China. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed a significant association between baseline GGT and prehypertension [1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18-2.16], comparing quartile 4 to quartile 1. Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association between GGT and prehypertension in Koreans; men, current alcohol drinkers and subjects with pre-diabetes. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis demonstrated that when GGT was higher than 20 U/l, the risk of developing prehypertension increased. Serum GGT is used as a biochemical liver test, but our findings suggest that baseline values may also predict prehypertension in Chinese.