The invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle based automatic pole-climbing method and apparatus. A first camera (3) is mounted on a leg part of the unmanned aerial vehicle (1); a second camera (2) is mounted on the base of the unmanned aerial vehicle (1); cross wires are arranged on the lenses of the first camera (3) and the second camera (2); a hook (4) is connected with the bottom of the unmanned aerial vehicle (1); a suspension loop (5) is connected below the hook (4); the suspension loop (5) is connected with a rope fixing apparatus (6); the lower end of the rope fixing apparatus (6) is connected with an insulating hoisting rope (7); the insulating hoisting rope (7) is connected with a lifter (8); and the lifter (8) is connected with a safety belt (9). According to the unmanned aerial vehicle based automatic pole-climbing method and apparatus provided by the invention, a pole-climbing operator is prevented from consuming a large amount of physical power caused by pole climbing, and the safety and operating efficiency of the operator are ensured.