[Objective] The spatial distribution and ecological characteristics of Castanea mollissima in China under the current climate background were predicted in order to provide a theoretical support for the rational introduction and application of Castanea mollissima in soil and water loss areas.[Methods] Based on 261 occurrence points and 40 environmental variables, MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential distribution of Castanea mollissima. Environmental factors affecting the distribution of Castanea mollissima were also determined. The application scope was determined by comparing the potential distribution of Castanea mollissima with the national soil and water loss areas.[Results] Five environmental variables, including annual precipitation, annual mean temperature, topsoil pH value, mean diurnal range and temperature seasonality, contributed significantly to the distribution of suitable areas of Castanea mollissima, and the cumulative contribution rate was more than 83%. At the same time, Castanea mollissima likes water but is afraid of water logging, so it is suitable for growing in acid soils. The potential suitable areas were 2.92×10⁶ km², accounting for 30.46% of total nation land areas. The highly suitable areas were mainly in the northeast of Sichuan Province and Yunnan Province, most areas of Hubei Province, Hu'nan Province and Jiangxi Province, and some areas of Shaanxi Province, He'nan Province, Anhui Province, Zhejiang Province and Shandong Province. The distribution of moderately suitable areas expanded outward with the centre of highly suitable areas.[Conclusion] Compared with the national key prevention areas and key control areas of soil and water loss in China, Castanea mollissima can be selected as economic tree species for soil and water conservation in other areas, except for Qinghai-Tibet region, the northwest region and the northeast regions. The potential distribution prediction of Castanea mollissima based on MaxEnt model has expanded the understanding of the distribution of ecological characteristics of Chinese Castanea mollissima, and provided a scientific basis for the selection of tree species in the functional areas of soil and water conservation.