By studying typical "Top Eight Views" in cities like Xining,Lanzhou and Yinchuan in the upper reaches of the Yellow River,mountain and water landscapes in the study area were analyzed in terms of natural ecology;bridges,canals,ferries,pavilions,mansions,towers,temples,historical sites,production and living landscapes were analyzed in terms of humanistic ecology.On this basis,"Top Eight Views" in the upper reaches of the Yellow River were compared and the following conclusions obtained:mountain landscapes were distributed in the whole region,waterscapes unevenly valued in different cities,bridges,canals and ferries mostly located in Ningxia,temples commonly found in all cities,garden arts introduced into cities,traditional cultures carried forward by historical relics.Then the relationship between "Top Eight Views" and regional eco-cultures was analyzed,and it was proposed that humanistic and cultural connotations of these "Top Eight Views" contributed a lot to beautifying urban environment,satisfying needs of the locals’ spiritual life,carrying forward local history and culture,enriching urban cultural connotations,expanding living spaces of local residents and improving integrated functions of cities."Top Eight Views" culture complied with the construction gist of urban ecological cultures,and was of great referential value for the construction of urban ecological cultures in the upper reaches of the Yellow River,and also the healthy,scientific and sustainable development of local cities.