Abstract: The study of water conservancy in Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty began with water conservancy projects, showing the characteristics of mainly small and medium-sized water conservancy projects, various types of water conservancy projects, and mainly built around cities. Driven by the study of the social history of regional water conservancy, the study of water conservancy in Yunnan in the Qing Dynasty was transformed from the history of water conservancy engineering and water conservancy technology to the social history of water conservancy, which led to the study of regional nature and social relations centered on water conservancy. The empirical study of water conservancy social types in Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty under the vision of typology is desirable for the deep understanding of the diversity and complexity of regional water conservancy societies, and it can also enrich the regional study of the history of water conservancy societies.