[Objective] The soil erosion situation was evaluated in the Zhifanggou watershed of Northern Shaanxi Province in order to provides scientific basis and theoretical support for the adjustment and optimization of unreasonable land use patterns and the rational arrangement of soil and water conservation control measures in the watershed.[Methods] The present study amended the parameters of Chinese soil loss equation(CSLE) and calculated soil erosion intensity based on the data of monthly rainfall, DEM, soil type, and land use from 2005 to 2016 in the Zhifanggou watershed at Ansai County of Northern Shaanxi Province using ArcGIS. The linkages between land use change, slope degree and soil erosion intensity were also analyzed. Based on the aforementioned results, we put forward suggestions for the management of soil and water loss in this area.[Results] Soil erosion intensity differed greatly among different slope zones in the investigated area. Farmlands with 15°~25° slope in the watershed were sensitive to soil erosion. Forestland, farmland and grassland dominated the Zhifanggou watershed. The area of farmland decreased continuously and that of forestland and grassland increased gradually. Since the project of Grain for Green initiated, the area that subjected to soil erosion, and the erosion intensity were both decreased. There was a close association between land use change and soil erosion intensity, characterized by higher erosion intensity in farmland and lower density in forestland and grassland. These results indicated that increasing the forestland and grassland and decreasing the farmland could be favorable for the reduction of soil erosion.[Conclusion] Spatial distribution of soil erosion in the study area was dominantly determined by the land use types and slope degree. Soil and water loss management should focus on the slope land with degree of 15°~25°.