Background: The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil around a coal-fired thermal power plant of northwest China were investigated for assessing the radioactivity level. Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected around the coal-fired thermal power plant and their radioactivity levels were determined using gamma ray spectrometry. Radiation hazards were assessed by radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), air absorbed dose rate (D) and annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE). ResultsThe activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K ranged from 24.7 to 89.8, 38.4 to 122.3 and 206.7 to 573.8 Bq kg^-1 with an average of 49.7, 63.5 and 396.3 Bq kg^-1, respectively. The mean Ra_eq value was less than the recommended limit, while the mean values of D and AEDE were slightly higher than the corresponding world average. Conclusion: The coal-fired thermal power plant enhanced the natural radiation of surrounding soil environment.