Objective To explore the feasibility of establishing a tree shrew model of chronic gastrointestinal mucosal injury. Methods A total of 12 adult male tree shrews were randomly divided into 3 groups. The experimental groups 1 and 2 were administered with intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg/ (kg·d) and 1 mg/ (kg·d) of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) once every day for 56 days, respectively. The control group was given the same volume of sterile saline at the corresponding time points. Changes in the body weight of the tree shrews were observed. The contents of dopamine in the cerebrospinal fluid were detected. Gastrointestinal morphology was observed by stereoscope and histopathological changes of the gastrointestinal mucosa were examined by HE staining. Results The body weight and the contents of dopamine in the cerebrospinal fluid of the tree shrews in the model group were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05 for both). Pathological changes to some extent of the gastric antrum, the gastric body and the duodenum were observed, without obvious differences between the 2 mg/ kg group and the 1 mg/ kg group. No obvious changes were found in the control group. Conclusions Long-term intraperitoneal injection with a low dose of MPTP is a feasible method for the establishment of a tree shrew model of chronic gastrointestinal mucosal injury. The optimal dose is 2 mg/ (kg·d) every day for 56 days.