Abstract: It has been more than thirty years since the first study of high temperature (HT) stress tolerant rice breeding was carried out by scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Studies such as disaster assessment and prediction of HT, HT tolerant breeding, rice plant morphological development, yield, quality, physiological and biochemical responses to HT stress, prevention and control under stress condition, and genetic improvement of rice varieties tolerant to HT have been conducted by scientists worldwide with great progress. This article briefly reviews the research progress regarding HT in rice, focuses on reviewing the effects of HT stress on rice growth and physiological responses, combined effects of other environmental factors with HT on rice, and possible heat tolerance/heat response mechanisms in rice. This review could provide a reference for future studies on HT stress tolerance in rice.