This application relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure of a display panel, and a display apparatus. The ESD protection structure includes: a driving chip configured to send a driving signal; a plurality of signal lines arranged in a display area, where the display area is equally divided into a first signal line area and a second signal line area, each of the plurality of signal lines located in the first signal line area is coupled with a positive polarity switch, each of the plurality of signal lines located in the second signal line area is coupled with a negative polarity switch, and the positive polarity switch and the negative polarity switch are electrically connected to the driving chip; and ESD protection circuits, each including a forward diode and a backward diode.