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Biophysical effects of land cover changes on land surface temperature (Ts), including two effects, that is, radiative effects (caused by surface albedo changes) versus non‐radiative effects (caused by changes in the energy flux distribution), have attracted the attention of many researchers. However, the uncertainties of land use and land cover (LULC) and vegetation schemes on non‐radiative effects, and the roles of non‐radiative effects on Ts, remain uncertain. In this study, we investigate the local impact of LULC differences by comparing Noah with multiparameterization (Noah‐MP) land model simulations with different LULC data sets and those with vegetation schemes whether they include interactive canopies. We attribute Ts changes induced by LULC differences obtained from Noah‐MP simulations to radiative and non‐radiative effects over East Asia based on the decomposed temperature metric theory. The results indicate that vegetation cools Ts over urban regions by 4.0–6.0°C. Grassland and cropland decrease the Ts over barren regions. Forests are warmer (cooler) than grassland and cropland in high latitudes (in mid and low latitudes). Grassland is cooler than cropland. However, the magnitude of Ts changes induced by these differences is lower than that induced by differences between vegetation and urban. The non‐radiative effect generally explains more than 50% of the local changes in Ts. The interactive canopies enlarge Ts changes for afforestation or replacements of urban region by vegetation. The effect of uncertainties in LULC data sets is negligible. This study highlights the importance of non‐radiative biophysical effects and interactive canopies on local changes in Ts. Plain Language Summary: The biophysical effects of land cover changes on land surface temperature (Ts) cannot be ignored while assessing the impact of land cover changes. The role of non‐radiative effect, one of the two forcing effects of the biophysical effects, remains uncertain. In this study, we investigate the local impact of different land cover types on Ts by comparing land model simulations with different land cover data sets and vegetation schemes whether they include interactive canopies. The non‐radiative effect dominates the local changes in Ts over East Asia. The interactive canopies could enlarge the Ts changes for afforestation or replacements of urban region by vegetation. However, the effect of uncertainties in land cover data sets on Ts changes and non‐radiative effect induced by different land cover types is negligible. Key Points: Forests, grassland, and cropland largely cool the land surface temperature compared with urban region and the barren regionThe non‐radiative effect generally explains more than 50% of the local changes in land surface temperatureThe interactive canopies enlarge the changes in Ts for conversions from short vegetation to tall vegetation or urban to vegetation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]