It was analyzed by using the methods of land use change rate, land use priority index and transfer matrix based on the land use data of Hetao Irrigation District from 2006 to 2020, the spatial and temporal characteristics of land use change in Hetao Irrigation District from 2006 to 2020. The results showed that the land use structure of the irrigation area had changed to a certain extent from 2006 to 2020, which was mainly manifested in the decrease of cultivated land and grassland, and the increase of grassland and saline-alkali land. The average annual change rate of land use in the irrigation area was 0.44%, and the change rate of saline-alkali land was the fastest. Specific to each county, the relative change rate of different land use types was inconsistent, and the land use change in Linhe District and Urat Front Banner was generally more prominent. The analysis of land use transfer matrix showed that the process of land use change was mainly manifested as the transformation of cultivated land to wasteland and saline-alkali land, and the transformation of grassland to wasteland. It showed obvious land degradation characteristics. This study provided a scientific basis for the land-water resources planning and management and ecological environment protection in Hetao Irrigation District of Inner Mongolia.