Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) causes great economic losses to the chicken industry worldwide. IB virus (IBV) exhibits extensive variability, and differing serotypes are often prevalent in different countries or regions. Therefore, the identification of local circulating strains is essential for the selection of appropriate vaccines. China is a worldwide leader in poultry meat and egg production, and IBV is one of the most important infectious diseases affecting this industry. In this review, the history and current IB occurrence in China, as well as the development and use of vaccines, are summarized. Based on recent epidemics, reasonable vaccination strategies are recommended, and some inadequate measures commonly used in the field are analyzed.