Shanxi is such a province with the largest karst distribution in Northern China,where 19 large karst springs are identified to provide important sources of the water supply in Shanxi.This paper reviews the research results of the karst springs in Shanxi from 8 perspectives of spring flow trend,precipitation recharge and time-lag,evaluation of karst water resources,water chemistry and environmental isotopes,vulnerability,impacts of coal mining and engineering activities on karst groundwater,delineation of spring catchment sub-systems,protection and management measures.It indicats that human activities and climate change are the primary and secondary factors negatively affecting karst springs,respectively.The impacts of human activities on karst springs are mainly facilitated by intensive development of karst water,mining drainage and so on,while karst water in parts of Shanxi spring catchments is polluted to various degrees.It recommends to protect the karst spring water and points out the fields of focus in future research on karst springs.This paper would provide scientific basis for the sustainable development and utilization of karst water in Shanxi.