This paper aims to sort and analyze the research results of domestic and overseas rural cultural landscape design in the past hundred years. Through the literature research method, the definition of rural cultural landscape design, the summary of domestic and overseas research status, and the principle of rural cultural landscape design are analyzed. Combined with design practice cases, the basic principles and design contents of rural cultural landscape design are summarized, and the future development direction of rural cultural landscape design is prospected. The rural cultural landscape is an organic ecosystem with harmony and symbiosis and sustainable development. The research on rural cultural landscape design is not only to pay attention to the natural environment in the overall system, but also to focus on the regional culture and humanistic spirit, and individual emotions, national memory and identity are included. The thinking should be further expanded and interdisciplinary research should be made. Future rural cultural landscape design is essentially a process of cultural memory construction.