In this study, soil samples were collected from four land use types, i.e. forest (F), bamboo (B), tea plantation (TP) and upland (U), and the denitrification potential and N₂O and N₂ emission were determined by using an anaerobic incubation method. The results showed that there were significant differences in the potential denitrification in soils under different land use types. The denitrification potential was in the following order: B > TP > F > U. The denitrification potential was significantly positively correlated with SOC (P<0.05), CO₂ emission (P<0.01), nirS (P<0.05) and nirK (P<0.05). The stepwise regression analysis showed that the mineralized C was the key factor controlling the denitrification potential, which could explain 66% of variation of the denitrification potential in soils under different land use types. The differences in N₂O and N₂ emission were also significant in soils under different land use types, the lowest N₂O and N₂ emission were observed in soil of upland, indicating the enhancing pH did not increase the potential N loss via denitrification and N₂O emission. The mineralized C was also the key factor controlling N₂O and N₂ emission in soils under different land use types. The significant relationship between nirS, nirK, nosZ and the mineralized C further supported our conclusions. Soil pH was the key factor regulating the ratio of N₂/N₂O, but the mechanisms of pH regulating the ratio of N₂/N₂O need further study.