Kiwifruit is one of the most successful examples in fruit domestication from wild to commercial cultivation, and nowadays this fruit plays an important role worldwide in the development of fruit industry. China is the origin site of kiwifruit and represented rich germplasm resources. To date, fifty-four species in genus kiwifruit have been identified in the world, and 52 of them are natively originated and distributed in China. The abundance on Kiwifruit germplasm resources played a crucial role in breeding and following industrial development in China. This paper reviews types of kiwifruit germplasm resource, geographical distribution, cultivation history, as well as survey, collection and conservation of the germplasm. Current research status in breeding, cytological study, resistance resource utilization, pharmacology and biotechnology, as well as breakthroughs of kiwifruit germplasm research over past four decades in China are summarized. We further propose suggestions in future studies of kiwifruit germplasm resources, in order to provide reference for sustainable utilization and supporting industrial development in China.