The characteristics of the discharge shock waves in high-repetition-rate excimer laser discharge chambers are experimentally investigated using the shadow method. This results represent the generation and evolution of the discharge shock waves. Thus, three typical forms of discharge shock waves, i.e., transverse, longitudinal (the main electrode shock wave), and preionization shock waves, are obtained. Further, the velocities of these shock waves are estimated, and the repetition rate at which the shock waves may effect the discharge is analyzed. The results of this study support the design of discharge-shock-wave suppression devices in high-repetition-rate discharge chambers.