Abstract Based on the similarity theory, two physical testing models (double-hole tunnel and single-hole tunnel) with a scale of 1:10 were designed and manufactured. A series of shaking table tests followed by numerical simulations was carried out to obtain the dynamic response characteristics of shallow-buried tunnels with asymmetrical pressure distributions. The similarities and differences in the dynamic response laws between double-hole tunnel and single-hole tunnel were studied. The effects of types of seismic wave (Wenchuan wave, Darui artificial wave, and Kobe wave), peaks acceleration excitation (0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.4 g, and 0.6 g), excitation directions (horizontal and vertical directions), and excitation modes (unidirection and bidirection) on dynamic response laws of the tunnels were studied. The results show that the variation of acceleration multiplying factor (AMF) shows a nonlinear trend. The AMFs are different at different monitoring points. The type of seismic wave has a significant effect on the acceleration response, with Kobe wave being the most serious, followed by the Darui artificial wave and the Wenchuan wave. In bidirectional excitation, the AMFs are relatively larger than those of unidirectional excitation. A comparison between the numerical simulation and the shaking table tests in both acceleration time history and peaks acceleration shows that the results of the shaking table tests and numerical simulations are credible. The acceleration response of monitoring points near the existing slope is generally magnified. The residual strains are generated at the monitoring points. The variation trends of both tensile strain and compressive strain are opposite. The tensile strains are generally larger than the compressive strains. Many factors, such as the type of seismic wave, peaks of acceleration excitation, excitation direction, and excitation mode, have a significant influence on the dynamic strain response and acceleration response of the tunnels. The research results could promote the understanding of dynamic response characteristics of the tunnels.