Abstract: Along with the continually increasing deep wells, ultra-deep wells and special process wells, higher standards were imposed on drilling fluids to meet the needs of safe, fast and efficient drilling. To evaluate the progress on the development of high-performance drilling fluids a great deal of research and test applications were carried out over the research and development of drilling fluids that satisfy the particular needs of drilling engineering in China. In particular, rapid development has been achieved in aspects of inhibitive drilling fluids, oil-based drilling fluids, ultra-high temperature and ultra-high density drilling fluids, etc., and a series of practical drilling fluid technologies were formed. They have gradually narrowed the gap with foreign counterparts, especially with respect to the ultra-high density drilling fluid technology of China which plays a leading role in the world. In order to better understand the new development of domestic drilling fluid technologies, and provide valuable suggestions for the development and application of drilling fluids in China, this paper introduces the development, performance and application of drilling fluids. The study focused on the characteristics of inhibitive/environment friendly drilling fluids, oil-based drilling fluid, ultra-high temperature and ultra-high density drilling fluids, foamed drilling fluid and synthetic-based drilling fluid. The study includes a comprehensive review of the problems and development trends of drilling fluid in China, and proposes the tasks that need to be carried out in the future in combination with drilling practices. The research results constitute and excellent reference and best practices for the development and application of domestic drilling fluids.