[Objective] The response of soil ecological environment to interference by tourism was explored in Lijiang scenic area of Guilin City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to provide a scientific basis for the rational development and protection of tourism resources.[Methods] A field investigation and laboratory analysis were conducted to analyze the differences of soil environmental indicators in the Lijiang scenic area under different interference levels, and the impact of interference due to tourism on the soil ecological environment in the study area.[Results] The average soil firmness increased by a factor of 15.55. The brightness and chromaticity of the soil color also increased, as did the bulk density (by 33.43%). The thickness of the litter layer and soil moisture content both decreased. The contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium decreased by 61.31%, 61.58%, 32.21%, 72.08%, and 36.26%, respectively.[Conclusion] The soil ecological environment of the Lijiang scenic area shifted periodically under the disturbance caused by tourism. Selected soils were degraded to different degrees, the comprehensive fertility of the soil reduced, and the soil structure deteriorated, which can be expected to affect vegetation and the landscape. Therefore, effective management measures and relevant technology should be introduced to weaken the negative effects of tourism on the ecological environment of the Lijiang scenic area.