Abstract: Swelling rock (soil) is a kind of geological body which possesses multi-crack, swell-shrinkage property and strong hydrophilic characteristics, and results in the swelling rock(soil) body ' s repeated deform and fracture development. So the serious damage will occur in the channel project. Therefore, a reasonable monitoring system, monitoring equipment selection and built-in techniques, will directly affect the swelling rock (soil) authenticity and validity of monitoring results in the channel slope. On the basis of the monitoring results obtained from Nanyang and Xinxiang swelling rock (soil) field test section of the first phase of the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Transfer Project, this article studied and concluded the following three aspects: the composition of the monitoring system, the monitoring items ， equipment layout position; monitoring instrument models, the basic principle, accuracy requirements; equipment requirements and laying technology research.