Different land use types possess distinct ecological service functions and values. The dataset on the spatial distribution of ecosystem service values in China's terrestrial ecosystems is based on remote sensing classification of national terrestrial ecosystem types. The ecosystem types included are: dry land, farmland, coniferous forest, coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest, broadleaved forest, shrubland, grassland, shrub-grassland, meadow, wetland, desert, bare land, water systems, glaciers and snow cover, and artificial surfaces (including built-up land and industrial and mining land), comprising 15 secondary categories (which fall under 6 primary categories: farmland, forest, grassland, wetland, desert, and water area).