The invention discloses an atmospheric turbulence detection simulator used for an self-adaptive optical system, which comprises a beam contracting module, a first atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, a second atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, a first splitter, a third atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, a second splitter, a lens, a Rayleigh beacon, a natrium beacon, and a target; thefirst atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, the second atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, and the third atmospheric turbulence simulation unit respectively represent the atmospheric turbulencedistribution from lower elevation to higher elevation according to order from left to right in sequence; the Rayleigh beacon is arranged behind the first atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, the second atmospheric turbulence simulation unit, and the first splitter, before the third atmospheric turbulence simulation unit; the natrium beacon is arranged behind the third atmospheric turbulence simulation unit and the second splitter; and the target is arranged behind the second splitter and the lens, and represents an infinity target.