[Objective] To investigate the hydrological benefits of litters and soil in different forests in order to choose an appropriate stand type for water retention.[Methods] Different forests including Larix kaempferi pure forest (Ⅰ), the mixed forest of Larix kaempferi and Betula platyphylla and Populus davidiana (Ⅱ), Betula platyphylla and Populus davidiana (Ⅲ) were selected as the research objects in Disanxiang forest farm of Chengde City. Water holding capacity of litters and soil was investigated by using indoor immersion method, ring knife method and indoor drying method.[Results] The total reserves of litters were ranked as:Ⅰ (26.58 t/hm²) > Ⅱ (25.01 t/hm²) > Ⅲ (21.55 t/hm²). The maximum water holding capacity of litters was ranked as:Ⅲ (56.88 t/hm²) > Ⅱ (56.24 t/hm²) > Ⅰ (51.91 t/hm²). The relationship between water-holding capacity of litters and the change of immersion time showed a logarithmic function. The relationship between water absorption rate of litters and the change of immersion time showed a power function. The effective interception volume was ranked as:Ⅱ (46.22 t/hm²) > Ⅲ (43.90 t/hm²) > Ⅰ (43.36 t/hm²). Soil bulk density was ranked as:Ⅰ (1.13 g/cm³) > Ⅱ (1.12 g/cm³) > Ⅲ (0.99 g/cm³). Soil porosity was ranked as:Ⅲ (51.89%) >Ⅱ (49.13%) > Ⅰ (41.38%). The maximum water holding capacity of soil was ranked as:Ⅲ (1 037.80 t/hm²) > Ⅱ (982.50 t/hm²) > Ⅰ (827.53 t/hm²).[Conclusion] Based on the analysis of the litters and soil water retention characteristics of three different forest stands, it was found that the water holding capacity of B. platyphylla and P. davidiana forest was the best, while L. kaempferi pure forest was the worst.