To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Yunnan Province, explore its risk factors, and provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). This is a large cross-sectional study, in all, 1 524 DM patients in 16 communities and villages of Yunnan Province who were registered in health service centers were included in this study from August to November 2019. All patients completed a uniform questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurements, and auxiliary examinations. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors of DR. The prevalence rates of DR, mild non-proliferative DR (mild-NPDR), and referable DR (RDR) were 16.0% (244/1 524), 4.5% (69/1 524), and 11.5% (175/1 524), respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)≥7.0% was the risk factor of mild-NPDR (OR=1.872, 95%CI 1.055-3.323) and RDR (OR=4.821, 95%CI 2.917-7.969). Blood pressure≥130/80 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was the risk factor of mild-NPDR (OR=1.933, 95%CI 1.112-3.358) and RDR (OR=1.505, 95%CI 1.063-2.130). In Yunnan Province, 16.0% DM patients had accompanying DR, wherein about 71.7% of them required an ophthalmology referral, and the high incidence of RDR in DM patients was associated with poor control of blood glucose and blood pressure.