The spatial differences of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in terrain, climate and soil caused by the high altitude have resulted in the unique species and spatial patterns of vegetation. However, existing research lacks comprehensive, quantitative, and systematic analysis to the differences in the vegetation characteristics and environmental conditions of various vegetation types, especially for the entire Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. To address this issue in the unique geographic environment and vegetation types of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this study utilized a wide array of 58 spatial indicators, organized into four dimensions: vegetation, topography, soil, and climate. Through the rigorous application of frequency distribution statistical methods, a quantitative analysis was conducted to systematically unveil the distinguishing of vegetation characteristics and environmental conditions among the primary vegetation types across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results of this quantitative analysis have revealed that a majority of the environmental and vegetation characteristic indicators exhibit a high level of differentiation among the primary vegetation types found on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Notably, seven key indicators, including the remote sensing normalized vegetation index, vegetation net primary productivity, bare land coverage, elevation, soil temperature, annual minimum temperature, and annual total evapotranspiration, exhibit particularly exceptional discriminatory power in characterizing these diverse vegetation types. The findings of this study provide critical insights into the unique characteristics and environmental disparities within the major vegetation types across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Moreover, they offer a pathway to enhance the differentiation between vegetation types that have historically been challenging to distinguish. These distinctions encompass separating shrublands from grasslands, providing a nuanced classification of various grassland types, and identifying alpine tundra, cushion, and sparse vegetation. Therefore, it is helpful to solve the four difficult problems of vegetation classification in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: 1) the division of shrubland and grassland, 2) the subdivision of grassland type, 3) the identification of alpine tundra, cushion, and sparse vegetation, and 4) the identification of mountain vertical vegetation. The outcomes of this research have the potential to serve two significant purposes. First, they can substantially advance the precision of vegetation classification across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Second, they can inform the delineation of natural zones, aid in assessing biodiversity and ecosystem functionality, and contribute to studies of surface material cycling in this high-altitude region. In summary, this comprehensive analysis bridges an important gap in our understanding of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's vegetation diversity and its complex relationship with environmental factors. By enhancing our ability to differentiate and classify vegetation types, this research is poised to make meaningful contributions to several studies on the ecology and environment in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.