This chapter provides an overview of the development history, basic principles, and current status of hydropower. It systematically reviews the distribution characteristics of hydropower resources in China and the regional patterns of hydropower development. The chapter analyzes recent technological advancements in the hydropower industry, such as pumped storage, intelligent dispatching, and green ecological hydropower. It also explores the challenges China faces in the development of hydropower, particularly in areas such as technological innovation and ecological protection, and looks ahead to future trends toward efficient, intelligent, and sustainable development. In addition, the chapter highlights three representative hydropower stations in China—Three Gorges Dam Hydropower Station, Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station, and Baihetan Hydropower Station—demonstrating China’s achievements and technical capabilities in hydropower engineering.