Abstract Based on the round-trip intelligent sounding system, we used the structure function and spectrum analysis method to analyze the interaction between the small-scale gravity wave and turbulence in the middle stratosphere. The result showed that the generation of turbulence was closely related to the Kelvin-Helmholtz(KH) billows. An upscale energy cascade occurred on the spatial scale of KH billows, while a downscale energy cascade occurred on a larger spatial scale (gravity wave scale), which resulted in the breaking of the gravity wave and turbulence. Obvious two-dimensional turbulence that the inverse energy cascade in 2D exists simultaneously with a direct enstrophy cascade to the small scales was found, which is considered to be the first-hand observation result of relevant height.