Abstract: Technology transfer is an important way to reduce R&D cost and create new technology. Basing on the patent transfer data from incoPat patent database from 1985 to 2018, this study explores the network structure and mechanism of technology transfer network in the Yangtze river economic belt through the methods of spatial network analysis, module mining and exponential random graph model analysis. The netwook structure shows that the downstream area of the Yangtze river economic belt takes the lead in the technology transfer network, while the upstream region rises like nail and the middle reaches develop independently. The Yangtze river delta cooperate intensely with a multi-center pattern and is closely connected with the others, meanwhile, Chengdu and Chongqing rise rapidly to catch up with these cities. Module ananalysis finds that top cities pay more attention to the maintenance of existing cooperative relationship, and occupying the structural hole position is crucial for latecomer to catch up. Research on influential mechanism shows that the higher the technology quality, innovation quantity and economic level of cities, the higher is the probability of technology transfer activity to take place, the Matthew effect will strengthen the network hierarchy. Technical identification is more effective than industrial similarity in promoting the establishment of transfer relations. Provincial administrative barriers still exist and geographical proximity effect is weak. Therefore, focusing on the research and development of high quality technology and expanding the relationship of technology transfer helps to improve the status of city in the network, looking for partners with similar knowledge structure or administrative areas are more likely to succeed.