Abstract: This paper examines the distribution, formation, and composition of She settlements and dwellings in the Changxi watershed through a combination of literature review and field surveys. It identifies and characterizes the types of She dwellings according to their plan, space, and framing characteristics, and investigates the causes of their settlements and residences and the evolution of their architectural structure and spatial composition from simple to complex. Cultural features are elucidated from the perspective of the mountainous environment, social life, and construction skills. Furthermore, the theory of dissipative structure is applied to analyze the formation of She minority and its architectural culture, providing a novel approach for the research of architecture of ethnic characteristics from the perspective of river basin.