To understand and evaluate soil fertility status and improve soil fertility of tamarisk woodland which is the host of Cistanche tubulosa, Yutian and Minfeng counties, where are the most widespread and productive Cistanche tubulosa areas in the Hotan region, were selected as the experimental base. Soil samples under different cultivated years and irrigation methods were collected, and soil physical and chemical properties were determined. The results showed that soil total nitrogen and organic matter contents were 0.31 g/kg and 2.42 g/kg, respectively, both belonged to the poor levels according to classification standard of soil fertility of the 2nd National Soil Survey. Soil available potassium and total phosphorus contents were 155 mg/kg and 0.55 g/kg, respectively, both belonged to the suitable levels. Soil available phosphate content ranged from 0.4 to 8.0 mg/kg, and 41.2% and 58.8% of the samples belonged to suitable level and poor level, respectively. Soil pH is neutral or slightly alkaline, but the soil became slightly acidic and secondary salinization occurred in the field which cultivated Cistanche tubulosa above 10 years. The shift from traditional flooding irrigation to drip irrigation could reduce soil EC, total nitrogen and nitrate contents by 60.6%, 48.8% and 60.6%, respectively.