In order to study the effects of straw returning on soil physical properties in typical tobacco planting areas, a typical tobacco area (Eshan County) in Yunnan Province was used as a sample, the tillage layer soil (0–15 cm) and the plow-cultivated layer soil (15–25 cm) under CK (not straw returning) and SR (straw returning) were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that soil organic matter, total nitrogen and active organic matter in SR soil of tillage layer increased by 13.4%, 10.9% and 21.6% respectively compared with those of CK, and those in plow-cultivated layer increased by 32.7%, 25.7% and 47.4% respectively. As a result, the improvement range of straw returning for plow-cultivated layer is more effective than for tillage layer. According soil physical characteristics, bulk density of SR soil of tillage and plow-cultivated layers reduced by 4.9% and 6.6% respectively compared with CK, and aeration porosity increased by 34.3 % and 163% respectively. Thus, the implementation of straw returning in typical tobacco planting region can improve soil physical properties, fulfill soil environment for the growth of high-quality tobacco. and provide theoretical guidance and technical support for soil improvement in other tobacco planting regions.