Tensile tests, optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were carried out to characterize the mechanical properties and microstructure of 7056 aluminum alloy plates, which were 40 mm thick by hot rolling. The results show that the microstructure of 7056 hot rolling plate is inhomogeneous in different layers. The second phase particles in surface distribute dispersively, and the size is relatively small, while are concentrated in the centre, and the size is relatively large. From surface to centre, The shear texture is gradually reduced. The content of deformation texture in the center layer is the largest, and the difference of cube texture in each layer is not significant. After solution treatment, the recrystallization texture increased and the shear texture decreased in the surface, and the deformation texture of the central layer increased. After aging, a large amount of homogeneous and fine η" phase appeared in the surface layer and the center layer, while discontinuous precipitates and a certain width of precipitation-free zone can be observed at grain boundaries. Optimal solution treatment of 40 mm thick 7056 plate is 470℃ for 3h. After aging, the yield strength of the surface layer is 605MPa and the tensile strength is 628MPa. The yield strength of T / 4 layer is 626MPa and the tensile strength is 643MPa. The yield strength of the center layer is 623MPa and the tensile strength is 639MPa.