Polders are a form of land use for agricultural production in low-lying areas by enclosing dikes and have formed polder landscapes in the long history of farmland reclamation and water conservancy construction. It possesses unique regional characteristics and holds significant research value regarding ecology and culture. With the ongoing expansion of urbanization, the protection and development of polder landscapes have become crucial issues requiring comprehensive research exploration. This paper reviews the historical development process of polder landscapes in China, which can be divided into three stages: early germination, preliminary exploration, and systematic development. Employing literature metrology and summarization techniques summarizes current research findings on polder landscapes. The results indicate an increasing attention towards polder landscapes, focusing on landscape architecture and multidisciplinary participation. The main contents encompass theoretical investigations into the historical causes and morphological characteristics of polder landscapes and practical outcomes from specific cases. Research subjects include traditional and modern polder landscapes across different plain lowlands in China over various periods. Research methods have transitioned from qualitative literature interpretation to diverse quantitative techniques. Overall, Chinese research on polder landscapes is still undergoing improvement and further exploration; theoretical gaps and challenges exist within practical planning. Based on these observations, future research trends are projected.