Plasma cladding technology is an efficient and widely used surface treatment technology, which has the advantages of good bonding with the substrate, low equipment cost, no pollution in the working environment and simple operation. The current development of plasma cladding technology was introduced from five aspects: plasma cladding process parameters, plasma cladding alloy coating, particle reinforced metal matrix composite coating by plasma cladding, plasma cladding coating quality control measures of coating, plasma cladding technology application, etc. In terms of the plasma cladding process parameters, the influence of the parameters such as cladding current, ion gas flow rate, powder gas flow rate, powder feeding amount, welding gun swing amplitude, welding speed, height between nozzle and workpiece, and overlap ratio for multiple lapping on the coating microstructure was described. In the aspect of plasma cladding alloy coating, the types of alloy powders for plasma cladding and their introduction methods (pre-coating method and simultaneous powder feeding method) were introduced. In plasma cladding particle reinforced metal matrix composite coatings, the latest research results of reinforcing particles and their addition methods were summarized. In quality control method of plasma cladding coating, the quality control effect of preheating slow cooling, heat treatment, external magnetic field, mechanical vibration, ultrasonic assist, addition of modifier and addition of rare earth elements on the cladding layer was described. In the application of plasma cladding technology, the application of plasma cladding technology in mining machinery, automotive parts remanufacturing and valve repair was introduced. At last, the application prospect and development trend of plasma cladding technology are prospected.