Many researches on soil erosion and soil and water conservation under various conditions can be conducted using artificial rainfall simulation.The research period can be greatly shortened with the aid of the technique.Rainfall simulation has already become an important technique for laboratory and filed experiments and an efficient approach to collecting data of soil erosion, soil and water conservation benefits, and soil erosion modeling.Based on the discussion of basic requirements and types of artificial rainfall simulator, the structure, principles, advantages, and disadvantages of trough rainfall simulator are analyzed in detail.The objective is to stimulate the processes of research and manufact ure on rainfall simulator and to promote the progress of related researches in our country.