Abstract: Absrtact: Based on the land use data of Zigong City spanning from 2000 to 2020, the characteristics of land use pattern changes in Zigong City over the past 21 years were analyzed by using land use transfer matrix and landscape index. Combined with the natural geography and economic development status of Zigong City, 11 driving factors of land use change were selected, and the driving mechanism of land use change in Zigong City was explored by using the PLUS model, which could provide theoretical references for the utilization and sustainable development of land and resources in this region. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the type of land use in Zigong City was dominated by farmland, followed by woodland and building land. During this period, the area of woodland and building land increased by 115.89 km² and 56.72 km² respectively, while the area of farmland decreased by178.90 km², with little changes in the water body area. The decrease in farmland was mainly concentrated in high-altitude areas, while the increase in building land occurred mainly in the central areas of populous urban and county centers. In terms of land conversion, the conversion between farmland and woodland, woodland and building land, was dominant. From 2000 to 2020, the conversion of farmland to woodland accounted for 157.37 km², representing 68.61% of the total conversion area. The number of farmland patches increased, while connectivity decreased, leading to irregular development of patch shapes. The fragmentation degree of woodland decreased, while the complexity of building land patches increased. The overall landscape diversity was enhanced, but connectivity was decreased, and the fragmentation degree was intensified. The analysis of the driving forces behind the expansion of land use types revealed that various factors influenced the changes of land use pattern to certern degrees. Elevation was the predominant driving factor for the expansion of farmland and woodland, and population density was the main driving factor for the expansion of building land.