The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids) of Elaeagnus angustifolia leaves inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (GI) and non-inoculated treatments (CK) were measured during stress imposed by concentrations of 0, 100, 200, or 300 mmol/L NaCl. Gas exchange parameters included transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci). Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters included maximum fluorescence efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual photosystem Ⅱ efficiency (ФPSⅡ), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), apparent electron transfer rate (ETR), light reaction center of PS Ⅱ potential activity (Fv/Fo), and heat dissipation rate (HDR). The primary findings of these results were threefold. First, the Pn, Tr, Gs, and Ci of E. angustifolia leaves decreased significantly as salt concentration increased in both CK and GI treatments. Moreover, these parameters were significantly higher in GI treatments than in CK treatments (P<0.05). However, the magnitude of change in these parameters was smaller in GI treatments than in the CK treatment. Second, changes in chlorophyll content in E. angustifolia leaves as salt concentration increased were positively correlated in GI and CK treatments. However, the magnitude of such changes was generally higher in the CK treatments than in the GI treatments. Finally, in the GI treatments, Fv/Fm, ФPS Ⅱ, qP, ETR, and Fv/Fo initially increased with increasing salt concentration, before decreasing; in CK treatments, these parameters declined consistently as salt concentration increased. Moreover, in GI treatments, NPQ and HDR initially decreased as salt concentration increased, before increasing. In CK treatments, NPQ was similar to that of GI treatments, whereas HDR decreased gradually as the concentration of salt increased. The magnitude of effect across different salt concentrations in these parameters was significantly lower in GI treatments than in CK treatments. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may promote salt tolerance in plants by improving photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, which in turn, promotes plant growth in saline habitats. We suggest that inoculation of halophytes with mycorrhizal symbionts can have potential applications in improving the usability of saline-alkali land.