In this paper the damages and behaviors of dams, especially for the 4 dams with a height over 100 m, in the area affected by the devastative Wenchuan Earthquake on May 12, are briefly described. The lessons concerning dam safety learnt from the quake are preliminarily drawn. Some critical problems related to the seismic safety of dams in China are discussed. The strategic priority of dam safety for large dam in China and the corresponding tactics to overcome its main obstacles are suggested. Finally, some suggestions and comments for improving seismic safety of dams in China are provided.