[Objective] The roles of rainfall and vegetation factors on controlling soil erosion were studied in order to provide guidance for policy-making of soil and water conservation strategy in the future and efficiency assessment of ecological projects.[Methods] The impacts of rainfall and vegetation on soil erosion were quantitatively evaluated with a case study in Yanhe River watershed by using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). The soil erosion was calculated under three scenarios, namely the natural state, the rainfall factor (rainfall erosivity, R) fixed-vegetation factor (vegetation coverage and management factor, C) change and C fixed-R change.[Results] ① Under the natural state and R fixed-C change scenarios,the soil erosion showed a decreasing trend in Yanhe River watershed, but an increasing trend under the C fixed-R change scenario from 2000 to 2018. ② Under the natural state and R fixed-C change scenario, most regions experienced decreased soil erosion from 2000 to 2018. The area with strong erosion, intensive erosion and severe erosion all showed decreasing trend, especially in the upper and middle reaches. ③ Vegetation played a positive role in controlling the soil erosion with a contribution of 77.20% from 2000 to 2018. In contrast, the rainfall promoted the increase of soil erosion, implying a negative contrition of 22.80% in controlling the soil erosion.[Conclusion] Vegetation is the dominate factor that controls the soil erosion. However, the soil erosion is still strong in the upper reach. Therefore, soil and water conservation measures should be enhanced, and the allocation of plant resources should be rationalized in the future.