Based on the development concept of the coordinated man-earth relationship and thinking paradigm of process-pattern-mechanism, this paper constructed an index system of green development level using the Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response model. Then, we explored the spatio-temporal characteristics and obstacle factors of green development level in Northeast China from 2008 to 2017 using the entropy weight TOPSIS model, obstacle model and GIS spatial visualization. There were three main findings. First, during the research period, the green development level in Northeast China gradually shifted from small gap at an overall low level to large gap at an overall high level. The spatial distribution presented a pattern of gradually decreasing from north to south with significantly spatial agglomeration. Second, the relationship between the economic development level and green development level in Northeast China was not completely positive. In other words, a city with higher economic development level did not necessarily have higher green development level, while a city with a lower level of economic development might have a higher level of green development, and this might be related to the regional resources and environment carrying capacity. Finally, the mechanism of spatio-temporal differentiation of green development level in Northeast China was not identical, while resource endowment conditions, economic development status and government investment scale played vital roles in the change of regional green development level.