Abstract: In order to investigate the adsorption and desorption characteristics of ammonium nitrogen by soils in the Hani terraces in Yunnan, soil samples were collected at different altitudes (upper and lower terraces) and depths (0-20, >20-40, >40-60 and >60-80 cm) in the dry season (November) and wet seasons June), respectively. The adsorption and desorption thermodynamics and kinetic sequential batch experiments of ammonium nitrogen were carried out, and the adsorption-desorption critical concentration of soil ammonium nitrogen were calculated by using the kinetic models and isothermal thermodynamic models. The results showed that the kinetic curves of ammonium nitrogen adsorption in the Hani terraces could be fitted by quasi-first-order equations. The ammonium nitrogen adsorption capacities of the lower terraced soils were more than 12% higher than those of the upper terraced soils in different months. The ammonium nitrogen adsorption capacities of soils at different altitudes in June were more than 52% higher than those in November, and the ammonium nitrogen adsorption capacities increased gradually with the soil depths. The thermodynamic curves of ammonium nitrogen adsorption could be fitted by Langmuir's equation. The maximum adsorption capacity of ammonium nitrogen increased gradually with the increase of soil depth, and those in the lower terraces were more than 19% higher than those in the upper terraces in different months. The maximum adsorption capacities of ammonium nitrogen at different altitudes in June were more than 67.5% higher than those in November. The desorption thermodynamic curve of ammonium nitrogen in Hani terraced soil can be fitted using the Langmuir equation. The maximum desorption of ammonium nitrogen in the lower terraced fields is greater than that in the upper terraced fields in different months. The desorption capacity of ammonium nitrogen in soils at different altitudes in November was stronger than that in June. The thermodynamic curves of ammonium nitrogen desorption in the Hani terraced soils could be fitted by the Langmuir equation. The maximum ammonium nitrogen desorption capacity in the lower terrace was greater than that in the upper terrace in different months. The maximum ammonium nitrogen desorption capacity in soils at different elevations in November was greater than that in June. The critical adsorption concentration of ammonium nitrogen in the Hani terrace was lower than that in the overlying water, and as a ‘sink’ for ammonium nitrogen, it could effectively adsorb ammonium nitrogen. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of soils for ammonium nitrogen in June was greater than that in November, and the ammonium nitrogen adsorption capacity in the lower terraced soil was greater than that in the upper terraced soil. The Hani terraced wetlands play an important role in preventing surface source pollution and eutrophication of wetlands and lower rivers, and enhancing the ecological function of wetland ecosystems. The findings can provide references for the sustainable development of terraced wetlands.