Ecological and cultural factors have strong impacts on the distribution and cultivation of agricultural cultivar., In this paper, the correlation between diversity centers of rice cultivar and ecological, cultural factors was probed, based on datasets of rice cultivar in Yunnan, Southwest China. The results showed that diversity centers of rice cultivar were observed in Southwest Yunnan, South Yunnan and Southeast Yunnan, which may be related to the local culture of rice production and warm, humid climate. For the diversity center in South Yunnan, culture of rice production of Dai and Hani people may play important roles. The diversity center in Southwest Yunnan may relate to the culture of rice production of Dai, Jingpo and Lahu people, and for the diversity center in Southeast Yunnan, Miao, Yao and Zhuang people's culture in rice production can not be underestimated. Traditional culture promoted the cultivation of rice cultivars, and high diversity of rice cultivars facilitate the preservation and continuation of the traditional culture as well.