[Objective] The spatial variation characteristics of rainfall erosivity in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 1981 to 2018 were analyzed in order to provide a scientific reference for the theoretical study of soil hydraulic erosion, and for the practical work related to soil and water conservation in the region. [Methods] Based on the daily rainfall data of 38 meteorological stations in Xinjiang region from 1981 to 2018, the half-month rainfall erosion algorithm model was used to calculate the rainfall erosivity factor R, which reflected the intrinsic effect of rainfall on soil erosion. The ratios of multi-year average half monthly rainfall erosivity were calculated, and Kriging interpolation method was used to analyze the spatial variation characteristics of rainfall erosion in Xinjiang region. [Results] ① The spatial variation of rainfall erosivity was similar with the spatial variation of precipitation in Xinjiang region, showing a pattern of higher in the west and lower in the east, higher in the middle and lower in the south and north. As a whole, the annual rainfall erosivity showed an increasing trend with a growth rate of 15.6[MJ·mm/(hm²·h·a)]/10 a, although it varied among regions. The trend rate was positive in most areas of the Northern Tianshan while negative or zero in most areas of the Southern Tianshan, and which was higher in the northern part than in the southern part. ② Higher trend rate of rainfall erosivity appeared mostly in summer (from June to August), however the seasonal distribution pattern was different in various regions. The higher tendency rate occurred in spring and summer across most of the north part, meanwhile it occurred in summer and autumn across most of the south part. The distribution of multi-year average rainfall erosivity concentrated in spring and summer, but different in various regions. The distribution of rainfall erosivity was more concentrated than rainfall. These indicated that the erosive rainfall events mostly occurred from May to August. [Conclusion] Climate and altitude are key factors affecting the patterns of rainfall erosivity. In the context of climate change, the heavy rainfall events in spring and summer should not be ignored for soil hydraulic erosion in Tianshan Mountain of Xinjiang region.