The transfer characteristics of Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu from soil to vegetables near zinc smelting plant in Huludao City, China were investigated, and the sources of heavy metals in the soil and vegetable were also analyzed. The results indicate that the Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu contents of vegetables are 0.013, 5.476, 2.852, 41.16 and 1.515 mg/kg (fresh weight), respectively, and the environment around Huludao Zinc Plant are contaminated seriously. The transfer factors (TF) of heavy metals decrease in the order of Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb > Hg. The transfer factors of heavy metals from soil to leaves are higher than from soil to other tissues. The heavy metals in soil derive from atmosphere, and the parts of Pb in the leaves of vegetable derive from atmosphere. Uptake of gaseous mercury is the predominant pathway by which mercury accumulates in the vegetable.