Abstract: Using RS and GIS spatial analysis methods, this paper analyzes the basic characteristics and influencing factors of temporal and spatial distribution of rural settlements in the mountain areas and dam areas of Ning'er Town minority areas of Yunnan Province in 2000, 2009 and 2018. It mainly discusses the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of rural settlements in the mountain areas and dam areas of Ning'er, including the influence of natural factors, like the elevations, slopes, roads, and the factors related to social economic development, such as population and per capita net income of farmers. It provides a theoretical and practical basis for rural revitalization in mountain areas and dam areas. The research results show that: ① The settlements in dam areas are spatially dense, while the settlements in mountains are scattered. ② The areas of altitudes between 1225 m and 1380 m are the best for rural settlements in dam areas; and the areas of altitudes between 810 m to 1500 m are the best in mountain areas. ③ The areas of rural settlements in dam areas are inversely proportional to the slopes: the steeper the slopes, the smaller the areas; rural settlements in mountainous areas are concentrated between slopes of 0° to 25°. ④ The settlements area decreases rapidly with the increase of the distance away from roads. The rural settlements in the dam areas are mainly distributed in the 1 km road buffer zone, accounting for more than 82 % in the dam areas. In terms of road buffer zone, the best locations of rural settlements in the mountain areas are within 1 km, followed by areas 1 to 3 km away from the road. ⑤ From 2000 to 2018, the population of rural settlements in the dam areas continued to rise, and that in the mountain areas decreased rapidly at first and then increased slowly. From 2000 to 2009, the per capita net income of rural settlements in the dam areas was higher than that of the mountain areas. From 2009 to 2018, the per capita net income of mountain settlements was higher than that of the dam areas.