【Objective】 This article took the national forest city and the national garden city as the research objects. Through comparative analysis of the spatial distribution characteristics, laws and related influencing factors of the two city types, the similarities and differences in the spatial distribution of the two city types are explored at the national scale. The article provides a relevant scientific basis for the optimization of the macro-spatial layout of the two city types, the performances of demonstration activities, and the enhancement of the connotations of long-term urban constructions. 【Method】The nearest neighbor index, the Gini coefficient, correlation analysis, Kernel density analysis and superimposed analysis methods, ArcGIS 10.2 and SPSS 19.0 software were used. This study comparatively examined the spatial distribution rules and influencing factors of national forest cities and national garden cities. 【Result】(1) The overall distribution patterns of the two city types were condensed, and the national garden cities showed a trend of changing from condensed to uniform at the national scale from west to east.(2) The distribution of the two city types in the east and west was poorly balanced, and the distribution of the two types of cities was concentrated. The distribution of national garden cities was more concentrated. (3) By comparing the kernel density distribution with the superimposed high-density area, the two types of cities were generally distributed on the southeast side of the population boundary line from Tengchong to Heihe and were concentrated and partially overlapping in central and northern China. However, there were significant differences in the spatial distribution of the two city types. The high-density contiguous areas of the national forest cities presented a “C” structure, while the high-density contiguous areas of the national garden cities presented an inverted “U” shape. The density distribution area of the national garden city was wider. 【Conclusion】 (1) From the analysis of the distribution of the two types of cities and the related natural influencing factors, in different areas the water and heat conditions and forest coverage have a significant impact on the layout of both. A further comparison shows that national forest cities have relatively high requirements on climatic conditions and forest resource stocks.(2) From the analysis of the distribution of the two city types and related social and economic factors, the distribution of national forest cities is almost irrelevant to regional population density and per capita GDP, while the opposite is the case for the national garden cities. (3) The study found that the layout of the two city types is significantly related to the greening rate of urban built-up areas, and is strongly coupled with the distribution of Chinese urban agglomerations.