The study selected 350 samples surrounding three typical nature reserves in Yunnan province, depicted the livelihood capital status and livelihood strategy characteristics in ethnic minority areas and analyzed the influence of household livelihood capital on livelihood strategy choice. The results show that: (1) different livelihood strategy choice depends on household livelihood capital, and more livelihood capital, more livelihood strategy to choose.(2) human capital and social capital have a significant impact on concurrent-business livelihood strategy, and natural capital, physical capital and financial capital have a considerable impact on farming livelihood strategy.(3) In the concrete index of livelihood capital, education level of the household head, village cadres, online time, cropland and forest area, house area, the number of communication equipment, transportation tool, livestock and poultry, annual income per capita, bank loan and personal borrowing can promote for livelihood strategy shift. Suggestions are to improve household human capital and social capital level and to achieve their livelihood strategy diversification.