Dark tea is one kind of peculiar post-fermented tea in China,while pile-fermentation was the key process for forming the quality. This review summarized the recent progress in pile-fermentation of dark tea including the essence of pile-fermentation, which was the result of the combination of hot-humid environment, microbial effect and enzyme action. The change of the aroma, color and taste of dark tea were analyzed by functional components in the process of pile-fermentation. Furthermore, the idea of using inoculated microorganisms and adding exogenous materials as innovative pile-fermentation, as well as the development and application of automated pile-fermentation workshop including turning device and fermenter were put forward. Combined with the above aspects,the paper for the purpose of provide direction and opinion to the further research on pile-fermentation of dark tea.