Abstract: Understanding the spatial patterns of scenic spots is essential to effectively develop and allocate tourism resources. With Three Parallel Rivers Region as a case, this study first developed the spatial distribution data on scenic spots; and then according to their characteristics, we classified these scenic spots as three natural scenery types (including landscape, water area and biological sceneries) and two cultural scenery types (including historic and leisure sceneries). We finally investigated the spatial patterns of the scenic spots and analyzed the relationships with environmental factors. Our results showed that the eastern regions had higher distribution density of scenic spots, whereas the western areas had relatively fewer scenic spots. Yulong Country had the highest aggregation level, followed by Gucheng District, Dali City, and Shangri-La City, whereas Lushui Country and Fugong Country had low aggregation levels. The aggregation level of cultural scenic spots was higher than that of natural scenic spots. The aggregation level of the leisure scenic spots was the highest, and that of the biological scenic spots was the lowest. All types of scenic spots had higher distribution densities in Dali City, Gucheng District and Yulong County, and their distribution patterns varied with different spatial scales. The distributions of scenic spots were influenced by human and natural environmental factors, and usually concentrated in the low- elevation areas with high economic development levels, high population densities better transport conditions and some particular vegetation types. The majority of the aggregation areas of scenic spots distributed in the following ecological function regions of agricultural-urban, biodiversity conservation, forestry water conservation and water-soil conservation, where are also the ecologically sensitive areas.