Objective To investigate the 13 skinfold and circumference characteristics of Muya, Ersu, Deng, Baima, Sherpas and Mosuo in Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet, and to compare the differences in skinfold and circumference characteristics of these ethnic groups.   Methods The circumference and skinfold thickness of 1222 adults (576 males and 646 females) were measured using a tape measure and a sebum thickness meter, and the obtained data were processed using Excel 2007 and SPSS 17.0. And the data of the six ethnic groups are compared with the other seven ethnic groups in China.  Results With the increase of longitude, the subsubscapular skinfold and suprailiac skinfold of the male ethnic groups gradually increased. The suprailiac skinfold of the female ethnic groups increased with the increase of latitude. In the male ethnic groups, the subscapular skinfold, girth of chest and maximum biceps circumference of Muya, Ersu, Baima and Mosuo were larger. The subscapular skinfold and girth of chest of Sherpas were small, but maximum biceps circumference of Sherpas was larger. The subscapular skinfold, girth of chest and maximum biceps circumference of Deng were small. In female ethnic groups, the hip circumference and girth of upper arm of Muya, Ersu, Baima and Mosuo were larger, but the calf skinfold and subscapular skinfold were small. The hip circumference and girth of upper arm of Deng were small, but the calf skinfold and subscapular skinfold were larger. The hip circumference, girth of upper arm, the calf skinfold and subscapular skinfold of Sherpas were small.   Conclusion Through cluster analysis and principal component analysis, the skinfold and circumference characteristics of Muya and Ersu are close. The skinfold and circumference characteristics of Baima are close to Mosuo. The skinfold and circumference characteristics of Deng are close to Wa and Derung. The skinfold and circumference characteristics of Sherpas. are close to Monba and Lhoba.