Soil and water loss is serious in hilly red soil region in southern of China. Typical plantations were investigated and native soil samples (0-20 and 20-40 cm) were collected to study the effect of short-term (13-14 years) restoration plantations on soil enzyme activities and microbial properties. Soil invertase, urease and polyphenoloxidase activities were at higher levels in natural secondary forest (NF) and Pinus elliottii-Cinnamomum camphora plantation (PECC) than in other stands. At the same time, soil microbial biomass (carbon and nitrogen), basal respiration, ratio of soil microbial carbon to organic carbon and microbial efficiency exhibited higher in NF and PECC compared to others. Therefore, PECC can improve soil biochemical function and microbial properties compared to pure and mixed coniferous plantations.