[Objective] The content characteristics of heavy metals in slope soil and sediment in fluctuating zone in the Three Gorges reservoir area were studied, in order to provide theoretical and data support for heavy metal pollution assessment in this area.[Methods] Three Gorges reservoir area was selected as the study area. Fifty-three sample points were selected to analyze the contents of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn) in slope soil and fluvial zone sediments. The pollution situation was assessed by the methods of the single factor pollution index, Nemero pollution index, geo-accumulation index and potential ecological risk index, and the map of heavy metals content was formed by combining the geographic information system.[Results] The average contents of heavy metals were Mn>Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb, and only Cu, Zn, and Zn had pollution. Zn and Mn enriched in both sediment in water level fluctuating zone and slop soil, while Cu only enriched in slop soil. The spatial distribution of heavy metals showed a pattern as high in upper and lower reaches while low in the middle reach. The singe factor pollution index method show that there were only light pollution of Zn and moderate pollution of Mn in study area. The Nemerow composite index of the study area was 2.93, which was moderate. According to the geo-accumulation index, there was only slight pollution of Mn, the other heavy metals were pollution-free. The potential ecological risk of Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mn were slight ecological hazard. The comprehensive ecological risk index of the study area was 14.09, which was slight ecological risk.[Conclusion] The content of Cr in the study area is mainly affected by the geological background contents of the study area, while the content of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mn are affected by both geological background contents of the study area and human activities. There are Mn and Zn pollution in the study area, and there is slight ecological harm.