[Objective] The urbanization in Hetao Oasis was monitored through remote sensing and the regional difference in the past 40 years was analyzed to provide a scientific base for urban plan and management, and for city coordinative and sustainable development. [Methods] Based on 6 term's scene of landsat MSS/TM/ETM⁺ remote sensing image in the years of 1975, 1989, 1995, 2000, 2006 and 2014, 7 evaluation indices of urbanization expansion were included and principal component analysis was used. [Results] (1) The expansion trends of Yinchuan, Shizuishan and Linhe cities had different expansive speed, strength and elasticity. (2) There were different space expansive patterns among the three cities. (3) The gravity transfer directions and distances of city center were different. (4) The real estate development investment and the tertiary industry were the major factors that affected the urban expansion of Yinchuan City, the first sector was the leading one for Linhe District while second sector was the pillar in Shizuishan City. [Conclusion] In recent 40 years, it was Yinchuan City that had the fastest annual expansion rate, the largest expansion intensity and more reasonable relationship between population growth and urban land. Yinchuan City and Linhe district urban expansion tended to be compact, stable and had decreasing complexity development; Shizuishan City had the tendency of discrete development and showed an increasing complex forms. In addition, the city center transferred to the southeast for Yinchuan City with the maximum transfer distance of 3 198 m; while Shizuishan City and Linhe District expanded toward to the southwest and northeast. Additionally, the dominating factors that influenced the urban expansion for the three cities were different.