With the rapid economy development, in order to investigate the heavy metal pollution and the potential ecological risk index of heavy metals in the soil of Tianshan Mountains, China, the soil samples were collected from three typical sections of this area, and the contents of ten kinds of heavy metals in soil samples were examined. Then, the multivariate statistic analysis methods, pollution indexes methods and ecological risk evaluation methods were used in analysis combined with the background values of the heavy metals in Xinjiang and the Second National Standard of the Soil Qualities of China. The results showed that the order of the average contents of ten kinds of heavy metals in the soil of Tianshan Mountains is: Mn>Zn> Cr>Ni>Co>Cu>Pb>As>Cd>Hg. The contents of heavy metals Pb, Hg and Zn were mainly influenced by human activities, and they could be classified as “man made sources”. In contrast, the contents of heavy metals Cu, Ni, As, Co and Cr were mainly influenced by the natural geographical factors, and they could be classified as “natural made sources”. The heavy metals Mn and As were influenced by both of the above two kinds of factors. The pollution evaluation showed that heavy metals Cd and Hg in the soil of central Urumuqi-Akesu section and eastern Balikun-Yiwu section were within the range of moderate pollution. The heavy metal As in western Zhaosu-Tekesi section was also within the range of moderate pollution. All other heavy metals in other sections were all within the range of low pollution range. The potential ecological risk analysis showed that all the ten kinds of heavy metals in central Urumuqi-Akesu section, eastern Balikun-Yiwu section and western Zhaosu-Tekesi section were within the low level range of ecological risk, while the ecology risks of heavy metals Cd and Hg in central Urumuqi-Akesu section, and the ecology risk of heavy metal As in western Zhaosu-Tekesi section were both significantly higher than other sections, which were mainly influenced by human pollution sources. This research showed that the development of oases economy during recent years in Tianshan Mountains have resulted in significant increase in contents of the heavy metals Cd, Hg and As in the soil of some places of central, eastern and western sections of Tianshan Mountains, and this can eventually become harmful to both the ecological environment and human beings. Therefore, much attention should be paid to this and rational economic development plan for this area should be made to reasonable harmony with ecological and environmental protection in order to protect the important carrier of oasis in arid regions.