Objective To investigate the features of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and its related influencing factors. Methods Simple Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale was used as a cognitive function testing tool to evaluate 183 T2DM patients, from them 90 cases were determined as MCI group, while the other 93 cases without MCI were assigned as control group. Their general information and clinical data, such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homocysteine (HCY), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and cognitive scores were collected after physical check-up. Their MoCA scores and related factors were analyzed. Results MCI group had significantly lower total score and scores in memory, attention, abstract ability, visual space and executive functions than the control group (P＜0.05). There was correlation between education level, duration of diabetes, plasma levels of HbA1c, HCY, TC, LDL-C and MoCA scores in patients of MCI group. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that the education level, duration of diabetes, and serum levels of HbA1c and HCY were independent risk factors for MoCA rating scale (P＜0.05). Conclusion T2DM patients are prone to MCI, which may be involved in many aspects of cognitive impairment. Effective control of blood sugar, reduction of HCY level, and higher education level may be beneficial in the prevention or delay of cognitive dysfunction in T2DM patients.