The engineering seismic exploration in China has experienced a quite long developmental period. At the beginning of 1980's, with the emergence of signal-intensification type shallow-layer seismograph, the engineering seismic technique made remarkable advances in China. Since then, shallow - layer transverse wave reflection, urban engineering investigation and shallow-layer seismic survey in water areas have been developed and utilized one by one, and begin to play an active role in some important engineering projects in China.