In order to improve optical and dynamic properties of China fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata ),such as superficial softness,low strength and inferior wearability,etc.,three experiments were proceeded in this study as follows:determination of dye solution permeability through the surface of the wood with various moisture contents under various temperature conditions,determination of stress strain curves of the wood tested,observation on cell deformation by microscopy.Based on the above experiments,the authors worked out the most suitable condition of dye solution permeability in the surface softening process of the wood tested,and further discussed the properties while compressing the surface of the wood tested along the radial direction under different moisture content conditions.The results showed:1)the most suitable condition for dye solution permeability was treatment temperature of 90 ℃,atmosphere vacuum alternately carried out and moisture content between air dried and fiber saturation point,2)the region Ⅱ with a big deformation in compressing along the radial direction was resulted from accumulation of earlywood defromation of the wood tested,3)instantaneous restoration in unloading did not appear in air dried specimens,while it did occur in specimens under 20 ℃ and 90 ℃ water saturated conditions.