[Objective] Analyzing the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of ecological land use in Urumqi city, especially identifying the conflict areas between construction land expansion and ecological land use, is of great significance for the protection of ecological land use, optimization of ecological security pattern and sustainable development of the region in arid zone oasis cities. [Methods] Based on the land use data of Urumqi city in 2000, 2010 and 2020, the spatial conflict between construction land expansion and ecological land use in Urumqi city was analyzed by using the attitude of land use dynamics, the speed and pattern of construction land expansion, identifying ecological sources and constructing a spatial pattern of ecological security. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, the areas of forest land, grassland, watershed and construction land in the study area showed an overall increasing trend, increasing by 160.51, 451.17, 47.58, and 805.19 km² respectively, while the areas of cultivated land and unutilized land continued to decline. (2) The accelerated expansion of construction land area in the study area was the most significant in Middong district, with a total increase of 230.62 km², and the smallest expansion of construction land area in Tien Shan district. (3) In 2000—2020, the overall ecological level of Urumqi has shown an upward trend, and the area of ecological sources has increased by a total of 611.52 km². (4) The area of spatial conflict between construction land expansion and ecological land use is the largest in Urumqi county, followed by Midong, Shayibak and Shuimogou districts, while the new urban area is a spatial conflict-free area. [Conclusion] The results of the study show that there is a spatial conflict between construction expansion and ecological land use in Urumqi during 2000—2020.