Abstract: This paper gives the recent advances in applications of remote sensing data to hydrology.The direct remote sensing applications to hydrology means the hydrologic variables, such as areas covered by lakes, snow, glaciers or swamps, can be obtained from direct interpretation and analysis of remote sensing images.The indirect remote sensing applications to hydrology means the electromagnetic variables measured by remote sensing techniques have to be related to the hydrological variables empirically or with transfer functions.The most hydrologic parameters, such as runoff discharge, regional evapotranspiration, soil moisture etc., can only be acquired by this indirect way.The combination of remote sensing and GIS with hydrological process is also overviewed.