Six typical soils with contrasting physico-chemical properties including Usti-Alluvic Primosols in Henan (Fluvo-aquic soil, including sandy, loamy and clayey textures), Hapli-Stagnic Anthrosols in Jiangsu (Huangni soil), Argi-Udic Ferrosols in Jiangxi (Red clay soil), and Rhodi-Udic Ferralosols in Hainan (Latosol) were collected to determine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) adsorption characteristics with batch equilibrium technique. The equilibrium solution after adsorption was characterized by SUVA₂₅₄ to estimate the aromatic carbon content. The results showed that adsorption of DOC to soils was well-described using a modified Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) followed an order of Red clay soil > Latosol > Clayey fluvo-aquic soil > Huangni soil > Loamy fluvo-aquic soil > Sandy fluvo-aquic soil. The binding affinity (k) followed the decreasing order of Huangni soil, Latosol, Red clay soil, Clayey fluvo-aquic soil, Sandy fluvo-aquic soil and Loamy fluvo-aquic soil. Among all the soil properties, oxalate-extractable aluminum (Al_o) had significant influence on Q_max, and k was best correlated with oxalate-extractable iron (Fe_o), pyrophosphate-extractable iron (Fe_p) and crystalline iron (Fe_cry). After adsorption on Red clay soil, Latosol, Huangni soil and Clayey fluvo-aquic soil, the SUVA₂₅₄ values of DOC in the equilibrium solutions were lower than in the initial DOC solution, indicating the aromatic carbon was preferentially adsorbed on these soils from the solutions. The results suggested that the predominant mechanism of DOC retention by Red clay soil, Latosol and Huangni soil was ligand exchange, whereas, cation bridging contributed more to DOC adsorption on Sandy fluvo-aquic soil and Loamy fluvo-aquic soil. Both ligand exchange and cation bridging were likely to play an important role in DOC adsorption on Clayey fluvo-aquic soil, which have important implications for soil carbon cycle as well as soil environmental pollution.