Deformed cracks are widely spread in landslide area, which have significant effects on geometry as well as motion patterns of landslides. A typical landslide named Baishuihe Landslide was selected here for giving a comprehensive analysis for deeply understanding about distribution, characteristics, and deformation tendency of landslide cracks. The landslide, with complicated deformation behaviors, activated in 2012 and reactivated in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Through detailed investigation, geological mapping, as well as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photos interpretation, in-situ monitoring, the cracks data as well as landslide patterns were deeply studied here. It suggests that the cracks types are highly related to slope failure motion patterns. According to the penetrating depth and geometry of the cracks, it can be divided into two types: shallow cracks and deep cracks. The shallow cracks would become the margins of local failures, while the deep ones could be the foundation for further slope instability. More importantly, the potential landslide with creeping slide state is determined by both shallow and deep cracks simultaneously, which contribute to the ongoing slope deformation. Moreover, cracks change soil stress distribution and make it be limit equilibrium state, resulting in landslides under small water infiltration, and also, that can aggregate surface water and increase the probability of rainfall-induced landslides. The research work, with the perspective of cracks, can give new insight for landslide risk assessments and mitigation countermeasures for potential failure.