The purpose of the eight-year medical education is to train students for well-qualified medical talents that are in line with our national conditions. This article introduces the establishment and development of the eight-year medical education in China, and various aspects of exploration in its reform which includes the reform of the tutoring system, teaching philosophy, teaching approach, means of teaching, special courses and so on. It also summarizes the current situation of the eight-year medical education and discusses potential strategies to improve the education system and the quality of eight-year medical students.