Based on the WSR 98D Doppler weather radar data and SAFIR 3000 lightning locating data， the relationship between lightning activity and radar echo characteristics of 14 thunderstorms in Beijing area is investigated. The studied period spans from 2006 to 2008 and focuses on the events with the most important lightning activity. It was found that the total lightning frequency has a strong linear correlation with the echo volume above -15℃ level with reflectivity exceeding 30 dBz. And the correlation coefficient is 0.89 . Its curve fitting value is 0.83. Furthermore, the echo volume per flash (VPF) has higher values in the beginning of lightning, while has lower values at the end of the period of lightning.