[Objective] The aim of this study is to investigate the spatial characteristics of settlements in Jinzhai County of Anhui Province and provide a scientific support for the overall planning of rural settlement construction and urbanization and optimizing the layout of the settlements in mountainous region. [Methods] Combining settlements' housing base surface shapes visually interpreted from remote sensing images and terrain properties derived from DEMs, and with the help of GIS spatial techniques, we analyzed the spatial relationships of river system, roads and terrain characteristics with housings in Jinzhai County. [Results] 59.8% of the housings were located in the range of 500 m from the river system, and 60.5% of the housings were in the range of 100 m to the road. Settlements tend to aggregate in the area with altitude below 400 m, slope below 20° and relief amplitude below 200 m. 45.8% of the housings are distributed in southeast, east and south facing aspects, among three aspects the south facing aspect have the highest ratio of housings. [Conclusion] There is strong relationship between river/road and settlements within limited distance. The river, road, terrain morphology and lighting conditions play very important roles in spatial patterns of settlements. The settlements showed obvious aggregation in areas with low elevation, low slope, low relief amplitude and good lighting conditions.