Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the current trends in and future prospects for distance education in primary, secondary, and higher education in China. Design/methodology/approach: This article reviews relevant literature and cases, and explores the current situation of distance education in China. Findings: The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education is at different stages in China. There are three main forms of distance education practice in China based on executing agencies, target students, and goals. Practical implications: The paper summarizes characteristics of each e-learning form in China. This information is useful for policy makers, administrators and teachers. Originality/value: This paper classifies major practice models of e-learning in China and defines different forms according to their own characters definitely. (Contains 1 table.)