Abstract: Based on the review and analysis of the conceptions and connotations of small catchments and experimental catchments, this paper overviewed the development history and research situations of experimental catchments in China and abroad. Survey, measurement and relevant researches at experimental catchments in the world began in the 1930s, and underwent rapid development since the International Hydrological Decade (1965-1974), focusing on the following aspects: hydrological cycling, watershed environment, soil erosion and sediment transportation. In China, small catchment study began in the 1950s, and underwent three development stages of‘golden stage (1956-1966)’,‘backward stage (1966-1978)’and‘stagnant stage (1978-2006)’. It gets new impetus since 2006 with more funds from the research institutes, universities, and central and local governments. The existent and ever-existed experimental catchments in China have been tabulated according to their main characteristics, research focuses and brief history. Data continuity, systematicity and observation standard at experimental catchment scale have been compared briefly between China and the developed countries, indicating that China is still far behind these developed countries. Further development in experimental catchment in China has been proposed so as to strengthen the comparison study between varied climatic and geographical conditions, and to set up national rules or standards for hydrological observation.

Key words: China, development history, experimental catchment, overview, research focuses