Abstract: This study examines Tuanjie Township and Leju Village in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, using a ‘space-function-culture' framework to analyze how wells influence traditional village evolution. Key findings include: 1) Water wells shape village layouts (‘clustered' or ‘banded') and exhibit three distinct distribution patterns; 2) Their function has shifted from ‘life-irrigation dual use' to ‘cultural symbols', reflecting modernization's impact on traditional water practices; 3) Water wells preserve cultural memory and ecological wisdom but face challenges like commercialization and population decline, leading to the breakdown of ‘well-based communities'. The study proposes a hierarchical protection strategy ‘spatial restoration, functional activation, cultural continuation' to transform wells from ‘heritage relics' into ‘future resources', supporting sustainable village development.