Encapsulated drugs in microspheres can improve the targeting, loading, and release properties. As chitosan has good biocompatibility, biodegradable, non toxic and non vice, it can be used as the carrier during the preparation of microspheres. Spray drying, coacervation, emulsification crosslinking and solvent evaporation are the main methods to prepare chitosan microspheres. The domestic and foreign literatures are summarized, and the preparation methods are reviewed.