Background Rare earth elements (REE) are a group of trace elements that behave geochemically coherently. REE fractionation patterns normalized to reference materials provide a powerful tool for documenting pedogenesis. In-soil processes are particularly difficult to illustrate with respect to contemporary and past climate conditions. In this study, we characterize the rare earth element (REE) contents in bulk soils and respective geochemical fractions (e.g., exchangeable, carbonate-bound, reducible, and oxidizable fractions) and to decipher the relationships between REE geochemistry components and climatic factors across a large-scale northern China transect (NCT). Results Across the NCT, bulk REE concentrations ranged from 55.2 to 241.1 mu g g(-1) with a main portion in the residual fraction (49-79%), followed by oxidizable fraction (2-40%), reducible fraction (3-22%), carbonate-bound fraction (0.1-16%), and negligible exchangeable fraction. The REE contents of geochemical components (carbonate-bound, reducible, and oxidizable) in topsoils correlated to climate factors (mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, potential evaporation, and aridity index (AI)). The normalized abundances to the upper continental crust (UCC) composition show that the middle REE was generally enriched than the light REE and heavy REE in topsoils along the transect. The overall UCC-normalized bulk REE patterns in topsoils and subsoils were similar, characterized by weak negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies. Conclusions Our data in topsoils and depth profiles collectively suggest that cycling of REE was primarily regulated by abiotic processes in area with AI < 0.2, while the biological effect on REE circulation in soil played a more effective role in area with AI > 0.3. The similar UCC normalized patterns in topsoils suggest that the REE was originated from a common source with limited influences from other sources (e.g., atmospheric dusts and anthropogenic contributions). Our results to some extent provide evidence for climatic influence REE distribution patterns both in topsoils and subsoils across the continental-scale transect. Our investigation gives insights into future studies on vertical REE mobility and its associated biogeochemical pathways.