The genetic characteristics of the soils under coniferous forest in the north western part of Altai Mountains were studied in comparison the podzolic soil and dark brown soil in the eastern part of China. There exists distinct difference between the soils under the coniferous forest and the podzolic soild and dark brown soil.The frigid and moist hydrothermal condition and seasonal freezing layer have important effect on the characteristics of the soil. So the soils under the forest should be called cold brown soil (brown coniferous forest soil).