Based on RQL (rich-burn/quick-quench/lean-burn) low emission combustion technology, a RP-3 fuelled high temperature rise combustor was proposed. The flow and radicals (OH*, CH*, and NO*) distribution of combustor were investigated by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and chemiluminescence imaging. Although the change of primary holes structure has great influence on the characteristics of flow and reaction zone, the airflow has same effect on the reaction zone. High-brightness values of CH* mainly occurred in the shear layer under the parallel airflow, and the reaction zone exhibited a smooth boundary. When swirling and vertical airflows acted on the boundary of the reaction zone, the luminance in the reaction zone was reduced and the boundary became wrinkled. The starting boundaries of NO* and OH* were basically coincident, although the end boundary of NO* lagged. When the axial position of the primary holes was located at H/2, compared with the symmetric structure, the mean residence time and area of the NO-producing region in the quenching zone with the staggered structure could be reduced by about 20% and 47%, respectively.