Abstract: In order to study the spatial distribution and spatio-temporal variation rules of different landscape types in Karakul Lake region, the Landsat TM/ETM images of research area in 1990, 1999, 2010 were taken as the research data. Using the decision tree method and combined with field research, landscapes were classified into 5 types which were oasis, glacier, desert, river and lake. Then the landscape changing pattern and spatial transformation characteristics of the landscape types from 1990 to 2010 were studied by using the theory and method of landscape ecology. The results showed that the appearance characteristics and spatial pattern of landscape in Karakul Lake region had significant changes from 1990 to 2010. The area of desert and river first decreased then increased, the area of lake kept a continuous increase, and the area of oasis and glacier first increased then decreased. The overall extension and fragmentation degree of landscape declined, the landscape dominance and heterogeneity increased. Landscape changes were greatly influenced by the natural environment.