In grassland ecosystems, soil is the most important substrate for plant growth and has a significant impact on Plant community dynamics. Mowing is the most important way to use steppes in Inner Mongolia, except for grazing. In the present study, the impact of different mowing frequencies on the community characteristics and soil properties, and the correlation between soil factors and community characteristics were studied. The aim was to determine the most efficient and suitable mowing system for enhanced productivity and community diversity. The study area is a typical steppe primarily based on Stipa grandis, located in the Maodeng pasture of eastern Xilinhaote City, Inner Mongolia, the mowing frequency were set four gradient(TAY:Twice a year;OAY:Once a year; OTY:Once two year; NM:No mowing). Different mowing treatments were conducted in 2009-2013, soil samples were collected and analyzed in August 2013. The results indicated that the mowing treatments significantly affected plant community diversity(P<0.05). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou evenness index, and species richness index for the mowing once-in-two-years treatment were higher than those for the other treatments. The organic matter contents of 20-30 cm and 30-40 cm soil in the mowing twice-in-one-year treatment were significantly higher than those in other treatments(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the available nitrogen and phosphorus contents of soil between the different treatments. In addition, the soil total nitrogen in the mowing twice-in-one-year treatment was significantly higher than that in other treatments(P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed the Shannon-Wiener diversity and species richness indices were significantly negatively correlated with organic matter and total nitrogen contents, where as the Pielou evenness index had no correlation with soil element content, Richness index was significantly negatively correlated with total nitrogen content and organic matter content. Fencing was significantly beneficial to soil nutrients, but not conducive to the growth of dominant species, plant community species diversity, and increasing the plant community density. Combining the results for species diversity and production, an annual mowing interval was the most efficient mowing method for the steppe ecosystem.