[Objective] The aim of the study is to investigate the accumulation and water-holding capacity of litters and soil hydrological characteristics in three different artificial forests in northern mountains of Lanzhou City and to provide theoretical support for the capacity of soil and water conservation of artificial forests in arid regions.[Methods] We carried out field investigation, and used indoor immersion method and cutting ring method to determine the litter volumes and water holding capacity as well as soil permeability and water holding capacity. [Results] The litter of Populus alba var. pyramidalis(36.74 t/hm²)> Platycladus orientalis(34.15 t/hm²)> Robinia pseudoacacia(16.01 t/hm²). The P. alba var. pyramidalis had the highest of maximum water-holding capacity(7.36 t/hm²) while R. pseudoacaciahas the smallest(4.91 t/hm²). The bulk density was P. alba var pyramidalis(1.466 g/cm³)> R. pseudoacacia(1.403 g/cm³)> Platycladus orientalis(1.27 g/cm³). The total soil porosity, non-capillary porosity and capillary porosity were P. orientalis > R. pseudoacacia > P. alba var. pyramidalis. The biggest soil water holding capacity was P. orientalis(0.731 g/cm³)> R. pseudoacacia(0.642 g/cm³)> P. alba var. pyramidalis(0.633 g/cm³). The soil infiltration rate of P. orientalis was significantly higher than other forest lands(p<0.05). [Conclusion] Among the three kinds of forest lands, P. orientalis forest land can promote the regional soil and water conservation capacity.