China has the highest incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Unlike esophageal adenocarcinoma in western countries, 90％ of esophageal cancer in China is squamous cell carcinoma, and there are distinct regional differences. Cancer stem cells, microecology, and epigenetics are closely related to esophageal cancer occurrence and development. The application of endoscopic ultrasonography, PET-CT, and MRI are conducive to the accurate staging of esophageal cancer. Advanced technologies such as neoadjuvant/definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy, minimally invasive surgery, and photodynamic therapy have improved the overall survival and quality. The application of immunotherapy in advanced esophageal cancer has achieved remarkable results.