Taking Urumqi as a case, a simulation of urban population spatial distribution is proposed based on urban land use and population statistical data using GIS, and population spatial distribution patterns are analyzed by the raster population surface. As a result, generating raster population spatial distribution surface is more accurate and natural than the traditional choropleth map of population density in Urumqi. Concerning the population spatial distribution of Urumqi, the population density declines from south to north and the population distribution mainly presents "T-type", the population distribution presents polycentric agglomeration and the population distribution of the districts shows different features. The population density varies significantly with the increase of the distance from CBD. Finally, this paper finds that the development history of districts, terrain and traffic road are main factors influencing Urumqi's population distribution. This paper tries to provide more accurate data of population distribution for the plan and management of urban land, traffic and public facilities in order to enrich the researches of urban population distribution
