Abstract: The spatial distribution of cultural heritage in oasis cities has been shaped by natural and human factors over the long term; nevertheless, its spatial distribution characteristics under special geographical settings and the multi-factor driving mechanism at the prefecture-level city scale still remain to be further investigated. Therefore, this study focuses on Zhangye, a typical oasis city in the Hexi Corridor, utilizing spatial autocorrelation, kernel density estimation, and standard deviational ellipse methods to reveal the distribution characteristics of its cultural heritage and the influence mechanisms of factors such as topography, water systems, and transportation. The research shows: Cultural heritage exhibits significant hierarchical differentiation—national-level heritage shows single-core polarization in Ganzhou District, while provincial-level heritage shows multi-core linkage—and typological differentiation—ancient sites showing multiple cores in plains, ancient buildings clustering in urban areas, and cave temples forming belts in river valleys—reflecting environmental adaptability. Natural elements strongly control the pattern: vertical topographic gradients dominate the core-periphery differentiation （82% of heritage clustered in plains）, slope and aspect screen micro-topographic site selection （88% located in gentle slope areas）, and river systems drive near-water aggregation （67% within a 5km buffer zone）. Human transportation shapes functional zoning: the corridor effect of roads is significant （94% of heritage distributed near roads）, driving the gradient differentiation of commercial/military heritage along ancient and modern road networks; the Silk Road trunk line concentrated heritage, synergistically integrated with branch line radiation to form heritage corridors.