[Objective] To study the distribution of soil heavy metals and evaluate its ecological risk in Jinzhong basin so as to understand the status of soil pollution in this area and to provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive control and prevention of soil heavy metals.[Methods] The heavy metals contents of Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg and As in 208 surface soil samples were tested in Jinzhong basin. The single factor pollution index, integrated pollution index and potential ecological hazard index were used to evaluate basin pollution, and the status of pollution was analyzed using GIS spatial analysis technology.[Results] The average contents of heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cr, As and Hg were 20.87, 0.316, 68.226, 10.457 and 0.129 mg/kg respectively, which were 1.42, 3.16, 1.23, 1.15 and 5.61 times of the soil background in Shanxi Province. The results of single factor pollution index showed that Hg and Cd were the main contributors to basin pollution, and Pb, Cr and As contributed less to the basin pollution. The results of the comprehensive pollution index and the potential ecological hazard index showed that the basin pollution level was more serious, over than 95% of the sample points reached medium pollution and heavy pollution levels. The spatial analysis of pollution showed that the overall pollution of the basin was severe, and there were obvious polluted areas in the northern of basin, Taiyuan, and in the southern of basin, Xiaoyi and Jiexiu area.[Conclusion] Due to the influence of human activities, heavy metals in soils of Jinzhong basin have been seriously polluted and should be paid enough attention.