[Objective] In order to study the total amount and speciation distribution characteristics of heavy metals in the soil of the main urban area of Chongqing. [Method] 64 surface soil samples were collected, and Tessier sequential extraction method was used to analyze the speciation of heavy metals, and potential ecological risk index method and risk assessment coding method (RAC) were used to evaluate the degree of ecological risk. [Result] The research results showed that the average value of heavy metals in this area exceeded the soil back-ground value of Chongqing, except for Ph and Cu. The speciation analysis showed that Hg, Ph, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni were mainly in residual state, except for Cd, while the proportions of iron manganese oxide combined state (22 %), residual state (21 %) and exchangeable state (27 %) of heavy metal CD were very close. The results of correlation analysis showed that Cd had a strong positive correlation with Hg, Pb, Cr and Cu, while Ni had no significant correlation with other heavy metals. The potential ecological hazard index method showed that the ecological risk of these 7 heavy metals ranked as; Cd > Hg > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu > Zn and Comprehensive Ecological Hazard Index RI indicated that the study area was at high ecological risk (317.408). RAC evaluation results indicated that the heavy metal Cd in the soil of the study area had reached a high ecological risk. [Conclusion] Based on the above analysis, it can be concluded that the soil in the main urban area of Chongqing is seriously polluted by Cd and the possible Hg and Cd compound pollution. The content and speciation characteristics of Cd and Hg in the surface soil should be monitored frequently, and the corresponding measures should be taken to manage and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]