Based on the multi-temporal SPOT images of Hangzhou City in 1996, 2000, 2003, and 2006, a method combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hybrid classifier was adopted to accurately extract the land use change information. Meantime, the dynamics and characteristics of landscape pattern change were analyzed by using landscape indexes. The results showed that from 1996 to 2006, the rapid urbanization in Hangzhou induced a tremendous conversion of landscape pattern. Owing to the anthropogenic disturbance, the agricultural landscape was gradually replaced by man-made landscape, and the dynamics of the landscape pattern in Hangzhou exhibited complexity and diversity. Cropland landscape was impacted most seriously, being encroached at large scale; orchard landscape suffered from slight impact due to its small occupation in the landscape; forest landscape was insensitive to the impact due to its aggregated distribution; while water landscape was impacted greatly but exhibited slight fragmentation. Urban land landscape was the one undergone the biggest and quickest change.