In this paper the distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in soils is discussed based on the analytical data of ten soil samples collected from Guangzhou.They are red soil,four derived from granites and sis derived from sediments or sedimentary rocks.The latter include two paddy soils derived from recent river deposits,two purple soils derived from red rock series,one red soil derived from sandstone,and one derived from limestone.The contents of ten REE (La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm Eu,Gd,Tb,Yb and Lu) were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and the contents of Sr were determined by X-ray fluorescence method.