Current studies on simile translation are limited and the relevant achievements lack practical guidance. Focusing on the English translation of similes in Wolf Totem, this paper combines quantitative and qualitative methods in the discussion of the translation strategies of similes to guide translation practice. The present research finds that ground instead of vehicle should be regarded as the key to simile translation. According to the presence or absence of ground, similes can be divided into explicit and implicit ones. The ground in explicit similes constitutes a salience continuum in which the decrease of the ground precipitates an increase in leeway towards vehicle. The ground in implicit similes constitutes an accessibility continuum which has a bearing on the choice of relevant strategies. The study can shed light on the translation practice and teaching of simile as well as other figures of speech.