[Objective] The climate characteristics and its change trend of Tarim River basin from 2000 to 2010 were analyzed to provide scientific instructions for soil and water conservation and ecological economy development. [Methods] Data collected from 44 meteorological stations in Tarim River basin during 2000-2010 were analyzed using Excel and SPSS 11.0 statistical software. Map was drawn by Arcmap 10.0 and Surfer 8.0 software. [Results] Local climate is harsh as conditioned by the geomorphic type and terrain condition. Arid and extremely arid climate are dominated in Tarim River basin

covered about 73.16% and 15.97% of the basin area

respectively. Annual average temperature

sunshine duration

precipitation and evaporation attained their highest values in summer; whereas

annual average relative humidity were comparatively higher in autumn and winter

and wind occured mainly in spring and summer. Spatial distribution meteorological elements were all affected by topographical features. characterized by the centralization and peripherization in the inward and outward of the basin. [Conclusion] In the past 10 years

the annual average temperature

annual rainfall

annual sunshine duration and the annual average wind speed of Tarim River basin had increase tendencies

while the annual average relative humidity

annual evaporation were declined.