Abstract: The shallow groundwater seepage,which appears as infiltration from soil profile and from fissure of weathered rocks at the bottom of slope or on the way out of valley,is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the gneiss area in the Taihang Mountains.Collection of shallow groundwater is an important part of rain-water use in hilly areas in North China.The interactions between atmosphere,surface,soil,and fissure water systems are the focus of the study.By measuring water content and water potential in rock and soil,the hydraulic characteristic curve of soil profile and rock in slope was developed.Based on curve,the complexity and spatial variability of hydraulic characteristics on slopes were explained.Two new techniques related to the collection of shallow groundwater were suggested to help the traditional rain water collection and utilization in the Taihang Mountains.