The invention discloses an intelligent traffic light capable of detecting traffic flow. The intelligent traffic light includes a vertical rod, a transverse rod and a photoelectric counter; the transverse rod is fixedly connected with the upper part of the vertical rod; the vertical rod is arranged at one side of a road; the transverse rod extends to the other side of the road; traffic signal lamps are stalled on the transverse rod; the traffic signal lamps include a red lamp, a yellow lamp and a green lamp; the photoelectric counter includes infrared emitters, infrared receivers and a detection and counting circuit; the infrared emitters are buried in each lane below the transverse rod; the upper surfaces of the infrared emitters are flush with the surfaces of the lanes; the infrared receivers, which are corresponding to the infrared emitters and are located right above the infrared emitters, are arranged on the transverse rod; and the detection and counting circuit is connected with the infrared receivers. The intelligent traffic light of the invention not only can be used to guide traffic, but also can detect the traffic flow on the road in real time. The detection data of the intelligent traffic light are accurate and are small in error. The infrared emitters are buried at the middle of each lane below the transverse rod, so that the accuracy of detection results can be guaranteed.