Objective To explore the distribution and risk factors of cervical HPV infection in Li nationality women of Hainan province. Methods Epidemiological survey and 21 kinds of HPV genotype detection were carried out by hybridization technique in 832 women of Changjiang and Lingshui Li autonomous counties of Hainan province from January to December 2013. Factors associated with HPV infection were analyzed. Some of the women with positive HPV accepted TCT detection. Results Among the 832 women who were investigated, 216 women were found to have HPV infection and the total infection rate was 25.96% (216/832). There were totally 20 HPV genotypes. The genotypes of HPV infection rate ranked in the top five were HPV52 (6.25%, 52/832), 18 (3.97%, 33/832), 58 (3.61%, 30/832), 16 (3.25%, 27/832) and 53 (3.13%, 26/832). The peak age of HPV infection was 16-30 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (P = 0.012), number of pregnancy (P = 0.002), number of sexual partners (P = 0.028) and age of the first sexual life (P = 0.038) were the risk factors for HPV infection. Conclusions The rate of cervical HPV infection is high in Li women in Hainan province mainly with single genotype infection. The peak age of HPV infection is 16-30 years. The genotypes of HPV infection rank in the top five are HPV52, 18, 58, 16 and 53. Age, age of the first sexual life, number of sexual partners and pregnancy are the risk factors for HPV infection.