The livelihood patterns of rural households in mountainous areas pattern is an important part of the researches on rural households' behavior, which is of great significance to rural households' income growth and sustainable development. This research used the micro-survey data in 2010, 2015 and 2020 and conducted an empirical analysis on the livelihood patterns of rural households in mountainous areas in Yunnan, a province in southwestern China. This research depicted the transformation process of rural households' livelihood patterns in Yunnan and summarized the livelihood patterns of rural households in mountainous areas. Besides, this research identified the optimal patterns of the livelihood patterns of rural households in mountainous areas. This research has provided micro-evidence and the basis for authorities to develop policies for the sustainable development of mountainous areas and income growth of rural households in mountainous areas. At the same time, the experience of livelihood transformation of rural households in mountainous areas in Yunnan is of important extension and application value for the development of tropical and subtropical regions which can benefit from the cooperation between China and ASEAN and countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.