Abstract: The mirabilite deposits in China are involved into the modern saline lake deposits, ancient mirabilite deposits and glauberite deposits. The present paper gives a retrospective view of the geological research of the mirabilite deposits in China, including classification, sedimentary environments, genesis and geological application in the last two decades. The mirabilite deposits are assigned to the saline deposits. The genesis and metallogenetic theory of the metallic and nonmetallic ore deposits associated the mirabilite deposits are considered as the hot, key and hard spots, and secular trend in the research of the mirabilite deposits in China.