The moisture content significantly influences the thixotropic strength recovery of the Zhanjiang Formation structural clay. To investigate the influence pattern and mechanism, the remolded Zhanjiang Formation structural clay was used as the research subject, and a 150-day thixotropy test was conducted. Unconfined compressive strength tests, direct shear tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments were performed on samples with diverse initial moisture contents (30%, 33%, 36%, and 39%) and various thixotropic durations (0, 1 day, 10 days, 30 days, 60 days, 100 days, and 150 days). The results showed that the strength of the samples gradually recovered over time, with the recovery process of unconfined compressive strength and cohesion exhibiting an initial rapid and significant recovery phase (0-30 days) followed by a subsequent slower, more stable phase (30-150 days). Additionally, higher moisture content accelerates the rate of strength recovery. Upon comparing the thixotropic strength ratios based on unconfined compressive strength and cohesion, due to the shearing action, soil particles aligned in a specific direction, resulting in a higher thixotropic strength ratio for cohesion. During the thixotropic process, pore parameters (porosity and abundance) and particle parameters (entropy probability and distribution fractal dimension) decreased with increasing thixotropy duration. Through self - adaptive adjustments, soil particles enhanced their orientation and orderliness. Under the influence of van der Waals forces, the degree of particle aggregation increased, resulting in a reduction of pores both between and within aggregates. Furthermore, water played a crucial role by altering the relative positions of particles and broadening the migration pathways, thereby enhancing the activity of particles and accelerating the strength recovery rate during the thixotropic process.