Abstract: [Objective] This study investigates the water holding capacity of litter and soil across different forest types in Danxia Mountain, Guangdong Province, providing a scientific basis for forest management in the region. [Methods] Using indoor immersion methods, this study investigated the water holding characteristics of litter and understory soil across five forest types in Danxia Mountain (Sassafras tzumu, Schima superba, Pinus massoniana, Quercus phillyreoides, and Neolitsea aurata). [Results] ① The litter volume of the five forest types ranged from 13.62 - 42.86 t/ha, with the S. superba forest showing the highest value. The maximum water holding rate ranged from 59.76% to 87.93%, highest in the S. tzumu forest. The maximum water holding capacity ranged from 11.83 - 26.22 t/ha, with the S. superba forest being the largest. The maximum interception rate and effective interception rate ranged from 38.21% to 65.79% and 29.25% to 52.61%, respectively, both peaking in the S. tzumu forest. The maximum interception capacity and effective interception capacity ranged from 8.71 - 17.04 t/ha and 6.74 - 13.11 t/ha, respectively, with the S. superba forest exhibiting the highest values for both parameters. ② The water holding capacity of litter across all forest types showed a consistent trend with immersion time, exhibiting a positive correlation that followed a logarithmic function. The water absorption rate was negatively correlated with immersion time, conforming to a power function. At any given immersion time, the S. superba forest exhibited the highest litter water holding capacity and water absorption rate. ③ Soil bulk density of the different forest types ranged from 1.22 - 1.49 g/cm3, with the S. superba forest showing the highest value and the S. tzumu forest the lowest. Soil porosity ranged from 43.89% to 53.82%, exhibiting a negative correlation with bulk density. The saturation water holding capacity and maximum water holding capacity ranged from 877.74 - 1 076.30 t/ha and 591.27 - 849.80 t/ha, respectively, with both parameters being highest in the S. tzumu forest. Comprehensive evaluation indicates that the S. superba forest in the Danxia Mountain area demonstrates significant advantages in both litter and soil water holding capacity. [Conclusion] Therefore, it is recommended that priority be given to increasing the proportion of the S. superba forest in regional forest management strategies to enhance the overall water conservation and soil water holding functions of the ecosystem.