Based on the data of 17 earthquakes (M≥8) in China, the author studies the disaster characteristics, destruction types and some countermeasures. The effects of regional site condition, especially the loess and soft soil on disaster are emphasized. It is indicated that for site selection in seismic regions with high intensity, besides the causative faults, it is important to avoid disadvantageous region where the site damages are easily caused; it is necessary to pay attention to asymmetric character of isoseismic contours and the effects of long period vibration on distant site during great earthquakes.