Groundwater recharge on the Loess Plateau in China is influenced by village ponds. Shallow groundwater is recharged by diffusive and focused recharge processes. Diffusive recharge occurs under farmlands, orchards, and grasslands, while focused recharge mainly happens under village ponds. The conversion of croplands to orchards and the decrease in village ponds can reduce groundwater recharge. Village ponds play a significant role in groundwater recharge, with focused recharge contributing a substantial amount compared to diffusive recharge. It takes much longer for rainwater to reach the water table through diffusive recharge compared to focused recharge. Preserving and constructing village ponds is crucial for maintaining groundwater resources on the Loess Plateau.