In order to reveal the adaptation strategies of plants to environmental changes, the mature Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantations along an elevation gradient (750, 850, 1000 m, 1150 m a.s.l.) were selected in Tianma National Nature Reserve in Anhui Province. Their fine roots at different layers (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm) were sampled to determine the biomass, characteristic parameters, C and N contents. The results showed that fine root biomass, length density, specific root length, surface area density, and volume density at 0-30 cm soil depth initially decreased and then increased with the increase in elevation. The fine root biomass peaked at 750 m, and the other indices showed the maximum values at 1150 m. Fine root biomass, length density, surface area density, and volume density decreased with soil depth at each elevation. The C and N contents of fine root at 0-30 cm soil depth initially increased and then decreased with the increase in elevation. While the C/N decreased at first, and increased later, but decreased again. The C contents of the fine roots decreased over the elevation gradient, however they decreased more in N content. This resulted in increase of C/N ratio. Fine root N content positively significant correlated with biomass, root length density, and volume density. However, C/N ratio negatively correlated with biomass, root length density, surface area density, and volume density. The soil moisture was positively significant correlation with fine roots biomass and its configuration.