Abstract: To understand the characteristics and sources of heavy metal contamination in the sediments of the Jinsha River basin, this study investigated the Qingling River basin-a primary tributary of Longchuan River on the south bank of the Jinsha River. Samples were collected from the sediments of 22 representative sections, and the concentrations of eight heavy metal elements, i.e., As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn, were tested and analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted on the distribution characteristics of these heavy metal elements in the sediments along the basin. The sources of these heavy metals were investigated using correlation analysis and principal component analysis, and the degree of heavy metal contamination in the sediments was assessed using the geo-accumulation index and the Nemero index. The results indicate that As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn are primarily influenced by mining, agricultural, and industrial activities. Cr and Ni originate primarily from soil-forming parent materials. Besides natural sources, Ni is also affected by anthropogenic sources. The assessment results derived using the geo-accumulation and Nemero indices reveal that the eight heavy metal elements exhibit moderate or low contamination on average. However, partial elements, represented by Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn, exhibit localized enrichment within the basin, primarily concentrated in the Laojiezi Au-Pb-Ag polymetallic mining area and the urban-rural junction in the lower reaches of the county.