An array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes forming, on a substrate, a first metal pattern layer, a first insulating layer, a second metal pattern layer, and a second insulating layer, successively; coating a photoresist on the second insulating layer; forming a photoresist pattern and an etching protection layer, in a first region of the array substrate, the photoresist pattern exposing a part of the top surface of the second insulating layer, and being coupled to the second insulating layer through the etching protection layer; and performing etching in the first region by using the photoresist pattern as a mask to remove the etching protection layer and at least part of the second insulating layer, without etching the first insulating layer, so as to expose a part of the second metal pattern layer and form a liquid crystal diversion groove.