A packet forwarding method, system, and apparatus are provided. The method includes: determining that a total number of links is an integral power of 2, wherein the total number of links is a sum of a number of added virtual link and a number of actual links for forwarding a data packet; calculating a hash value of the data packet, and calculating a remainder of the hash value divided by the total number of links; and if the remainder corresponds to a virtual link, calculating another hash value of the data packet, returning back to the step of calculating a remainder, performing the above operations cyclically until the remainder corresponds to an actual link, and forwarding the data packet on the actual link.