The rural education in China has gone through three major stages, namely, foundation (1949-1976), reform and development (1977-2000) and deepened transformation (2001-present). Valuable experiences have been accumulated in rural education in adhering to the Party's leadership of education reform, giving a priority to policy of serving agriculture, countryside and farmers. However, rural education faces challenges in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. For instance, there is a long way to go for balanced and high-quality development of compulsory education at the county level. The rural compulsory education needs to be improved urgently, and educational concept of rural dwellers needs to be updated. In conclusion, policies of educational equity should be observed, urban and rural education balanced, main body of education innovated, quality of rural education improved, leadership of the government enhanced and concept of rural mass education renewed.