This study summarized the history of ambient air quality monitoring and air pollution prevention and control, and it analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of ambient air pollutants during 1981-2017 in China. The results showed that monitoring of ambient air quality has changed dramatically in terms of determinants, sampling methods, monitoring extent, and evaluation basis during the previous four decades. Annual average concentrations of total suspended particulates, PM and SO have shown obvious decreasing trends during the studied period. These improvements have been closely related to the considerable efforts and various approaches undertaken to prevent and control air pollution. However, although policy implementation has been decisive and, at least in part, it has been enforced effectively, significant challenges remain. Air pollution control cannot be accomplished without a long-term strategy designed to achieve clean air in all parts of China.