To illustrate the distribution characteristics of soil total selenium (Se), 122 samples of topsoils (0–20 cm) were collected from Guajiayu area in Beijing to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of soil total Se content with GIS and its relationship with altitude and land use type. The results showed that total Se content ranged from 0.06 to 0.76 mg/kg with the average value of 0.30 mg/kg. 86.88% of soil samples belonged to Se-sufficient and above levels (>0.175 mg/kg), among of which 20.49% of soil samples belonged to Se-enriched level (0.40 – 0.30 mg/kg). Grassland had the highest total Se content (0.40 mg/kg), followed by woodland (0.37 mg/kg), and the lowest was orchard (0.25 mg/kg). Soil total Se content had a significant positive correlation with altitude. Furthermore, spatial variability indicated that spatial correlation of Se element was weak, with the nugget (C₀) and the coefficient of nugget (C₀/(C₀+C)) were 0.001 4 and 88.10%, respectively. The distribution of soil total Se generally showed a northwest zonal distribution trend, and Se-rich soils are obviously existed in the area.