Turbot Scophthalmus maximus, a marine finfish with fast growth and strong tolerance to cold water temperature, is the most widely cultivated commercial flatfish around the world with the highest annual aquaculture production. From its introduction into China in 1992 to now, its aquaculture has developed into one of the dominant mariculture industries in China with an annual production of more than 60,000 tons. The progress and achievements on the industry development, seed production, selective breeding, culture modes, nutrition requirements and artificial feeds, disease prevention and control, processing and quality control, market and aquaculture economy during the past two decades, are reviewed. Further research and industry development priorities in turbot culture are also suggested. This paper also provides the necessary referential information for the development of turbot culture in China.