[Objective] In order to understand the impact of different vegetation restoration measures on rainfall infiltration processes on loess slopes is of critical importance.[Methods] Paired watersheds in the Nanxiaohe Valley of Xifeng, Loess Plateau, were selected to represent natural vegetation restoration（grassland landscape） and artificial afforestation（forest landscape）. From 2017 to 2018, meteorological data with a 10-minute resolution and soil moisture data at different slope positions（uphill slope, downhill gully） and five depths（10, 20, 40, 60 and 100 cm） were continuously collected. The characteristics and influencing factors of soil moisture infiltration in response to rainfall events were analyzed. [Results] 1) Different rainfall attributes significantly influenced soil wetting depth and wetting velocity. Rainfall events with greater intensity, higher total rainfall, and longer duration were more likely to trigger soil moisture responses and promote deeper infiltration. 2) Forestland facilitated deeper soil moisture infiltration. Compared with grassland, forestland exhibited deeper wetting depths（60-100, 40-60 cm）, faster wetting velocities（13.6, 8.2 cm/h）, and higher preferential flow frequencies（18.3%, 14.6%）. However, excessive vegetation coverage（e.g., at the forest downhill gully） inhibited water infiltration to certain degree. 3) Topography significantly influenced soil moisture response characteristics between slope positions. Downhill gully areas exhibited deeper wetting depths（60-100, 20-40 cm）, faster wetting velocities（13.6, 8.2 cm/h）, and higher preferential flow frequencies（18.3%, 14.6%） than uphill slope areas. [Conclusion] These findings quantitatively compare the effects of different vegetation restoration measures（grassland and forestland） on rainfall infiltration on loess slopes, can provide valuable insights into the response of runoff generation capacity under varying vegetation restoration strategies. This research offers theoretical support for ecological restoration efforts on the Loess Plateau.