Objective To investigate the species diversity and faunal distribution characteristics of termites at Yibin city in Sichuan province, China. Methods Termite specimens were collected in a wide range of habitats, including building area, garden and green land area, farmland and living area, hillside and meadow area, artificial forest area, and natural forest area. Results Based on five years of investigation and identification, 22 species of termites, belonging to 9 genera and 3 families, at Yibin city were recorded. The dominant termite species included Odontotermes formosanus (32.75%), Reticulitermes chinensis (24.24%), R. flavipes (15.98%), R. aculabialis (7.31%), R. leptomandibularis (5.32%), and Pericapritermes yibinensis (4.69%), which accounted for 27.27% of the total species richness. There were 7 city wide distributed species (31.82% of the total species richness), i.e., O. formosanus, R. chinensis, R. flavipes, R. aculabialis, R. leptomandibularis, Reticulitermes lingulatus, and Pericapritermes jangtsekiangensis. According to the fauna in China, Yibin falls into the Sichuan Basin sub region of mid-subtropical evergreen broad?leaved forest region; based on the zoogeographical divisions and divisions of termite fauna, the termite fauna in Yibin was divided into five sections: tail of Liangshan Mountain section in west Yibin (Ⅰ), side of Sichuan Basin section in south Yibin (Ⅱ), tail of Huayingshan Mountain section in northeast Yibin (Ⅲ), east mountain range and valley of Sichuan Basin section in southeast Yibin (Ⅳ), and central hill of Sichuan Basin section in northwest Yibin (Ⅴ). Within sectionⅠ, 11 species belonging to 6 genera and 3 families were identified; among the 11 species, there were 4 dominant species and 3 indigenous species. Within section Ⅱ, 15 species belonging to 4 genera and 2 families were identified; among the 15 species, there were 3 dominant species and 3 indigenous species. Within section Ⅲ, 14 species belonging to 4 genera and 2 families were identified; among the 14 species, there were 5 dominant species and 2 indigenous species. In section Ⅳ, 12 species belonging to 5 genera and 3 families were identified; among the 12 species, there were 4 dominant species and 1 indigenous species. Within section Ⅴ, 8 species belonging to 3 genera and 2 families were identified; among the 8 species, there were 5 dominant species and no indigenous species. The species richness was significantly lower in section Ⅴ than in other sections. From the high mountain area in southwest Yibin to the shallow hill area in northeast Yibin, the altitude decreased significantly, and the number of termite species increased gradually. Conclusion This investigation elucidated the species diversity and faunal distribution characteristics of termites at Yibin city. It also provides a scientific basis for the ecological study and control of termites at Yibin city in Sichuan province, China.