Abstract: When shield machine is driving for a long distance, it is often forced to stop due to obstacles or excessive wear of tools, which is one of the main risks of shield construction. In order to summarize the research progress of shield opening technology in urban metro, the paper systematically summarizes the two technical ideas of normal pressure opening and pressurized opening, and summarizes the principle, risk factors and principles of shield opening under two technical conditions. Combined with typical engineering examples, the application scope, key technology, advantages and disadvantages of conventional compressed air and saturated gas method with pressure opening technology are analyzed and summarized. The engineering application of atmospheric pressure opening technology and atmospheric pressure cutter disc tool changing technology for soil grouting and freezing reinforcement is summarized. Finally, combined with the current research progress and the development trend of large diameter underwater shield in China, the paper analyzes the technical challenges faced by the shield opening in the future, discusses the direction of further research, and provides a reference for the development of shield opening technology in China.