Abstract: This paper summarizes the recent progress in studies on plant freezing tolerance genes. The expressions of these genes are induced during cold acclimation and some genes have been isolated, characterized and mapped. The paper emphasizes the role of these genes in increasing plant freezing tolerance. A large number of poly peptides encoded by these genes are highly hydrophilic, and so they can stabilize membranes and prevent membranes from freezing injury. The paper also introduces some regulatory factors, especially CBF gene as the “master switch” and Ca2＋ as the second messenger, which may play an important role in activating and regulating the expression of freezing tolerance genes. These studies not only contributed new evidence for understanding the mechanism of plant freezing tolerance, but also may provide new ideas for improving the freezing_tolerance of crops.