Objectives: Based on the analysis of the tectonic stress field of SE Sichuan, the paper discusses the revolution characteristics of the tectonic stress field, the mode of action and the sequence of tectonic stress in the SE Sichuan using structural analysis methods.  Methods: Through a survey on many structural features in the Southeast Sichuan Dingshan area, which include vertical folds, conjugated joints, etc. , we investigated the revolution characteristics of the tectonic stress field, mode of action and sequence of tectonic stress in the Dingshan area by structural analysis method.  Results: The results show that the region experienced four periods of function of tectonic stress field which came from four different directions: NW, nearly SN, nearly EW and NE. The force of NW appeared early than that of nearly SN, and then the compression of nearly EW, the last NE. We concluded that the structural framework of the study area has been formed by the effect of compression stress of NE—SW which is still active today.  Conclusion: Following the analysis of orientations and stages of structural stress in southeastern Sichuan, we found that structural stress sources in the region were closely related to the structural evolution in the whole southeastern Sichuan region. The SE Sichuan basin is jointly controlled by the Xuefeng and Tibet structures. The intracontinental orogenic system of Xuefeng during the late Cretaceous occurred during a period of NW—SEtrending extensional deformation. The edges of the SE Sichuan basin formed a series of NE–SWtrending structures, for which deformation occurred in the Palaeocene stage. At the end of Eocene, due to the strong bending of central Guizhou along with the Ziyun—Luodian Fault in Daloushan and a strong barrier of rigid substrate beneath the Sichuan basin, Daloushan and southern Sichuan bore nearly N—Strending extrusion which resulted in nearly E—Wtrending structural deformation. In the early Oligocene, the Daliangshan structural belt began to undergo structural deformation and coincident with this, collision of India and Asia responded remotely to form E—Wtrending extrusion in southeastern Sichuan region. Since the Late Oligocene, continuous collision action has been ongoing between India and Asia. The Daliangshan structural belt has experienced a gradually increased deformation intensity, which has expanded to the interior of the basin and formed NE—SWtrending extrusions, resulting in the formation of NW—SEtrending structures in the region including the ChangningShuanghe anticline.