Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is an important indicator reflecting the growth of vegetation. Exploring its temporal and spatial variation characteristics is of great significance for ecological protection, returning the grain plots to forestry and grassland and disaster prevention. NDVI characteristics of the Yuanjiang River Basin of Guizhou Province were studied for the period 2000-2015. The study used methods of center of gravity analysis, standard deviation ellipse and geographic weighted regression to explore the NDVI changes and precipitation sensitivity in the basin. The study draws the following conclusions:(1) From 2000 to 2015, the NDVI in the Yuanjiang River Basin is generally on an upward trend, and the vegetation is improving. During the period, the improvement of vegetation in the western region is the most obvious, and the returning the grain plots to forestry and grassland has achieved good results. (2) The spatial variation trend of NDVI between the drought years and the normal years in the Yuanjiang River Basin from 2000 to 2015 is inconsistent, and the degree of drought has regional differences in vegetation impact. (3) The NDVI in the Yuanjiang River Basin is negatively correlated with precipitation, and the spatial sensitivity increases from west to east. The influence of precipitation on NDVI in the western Karst mountainous area is more obvious. (4) Between 2000 and 2015, the NDVI change in the Yuanjiang River Basin was mainly negatively correlated with precipitation. The more precipitation, the weaker the NDVI change sensitivity. The results provide scientific support for identification of farmland areas that could be reforested and where grasslands could be restored.