[Objective] The status and spatial distribution of soil erosion in hilly areas were determined in order to provide a theoretical basis for limiting local soil erosion and improving soil conservation practices.[Methods] The study was conducted at Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province in the hilly area of Southeast China. The revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and geoprobe were used to to determine the spatial and temporal changes of soil erosion characteristics and to determine the driving factors of soil erosion.[Results] ① Average soil erosion values at Zhangjiajie City in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 1.03×10⁷, 2.05×10⁷, and 6.74×10⁶ t/a. Average soil erosion over the 20-yr study period initially increased and then decreased. ② Soil erosion was dominated by forest erosion. Other land feature types showed different degrees of erosion, in which erosion was mainly concentrated in the 8°-35° slope area. Erosion intensity increased with increasing slope. ③ Soil erosion in the study area was affected by vegetation cover, slope, soil properties, and elevation. The most obvious factor affecting erosion was vegetation cover. The strongest interaction factor influencing erosion was found to be between slope and vegetation cover.[Conclusion] The distribution of soil erosion at Zhangjiajie City had obvious spatial and temporal differences. Soil and water conservation should be carried out reasonably on the premise of ensuring ecological security in the future.