Black carbon aerosol is an important product from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, which can not only affect air quality and human health, but also alter the radiation balance by absorbing solar radiation, thus influencing regional and global climate. As the most populous and extensive region of the world′s seven continents, Asia accounts for more than half of global emissions of black carbon. This work systematically summarizes the main measurement techniques and instruments available for atmospheric black carbon as well as the major findings in Asia since the 1990s. The results show that the spatial distribution of black carbon concentrations in Asia is consistent with that of the population, and the boundary of the distribution of black carbon concentrations in China roughly overlaps with the Hu Huanyong line, which supports the fact that black carbon is mainly governed by anthropogenic activities. This work further showsthe sources and influencing factors of black carbon in Asia, as well as its optical properties. Finally, the shortcomings of current studies and future research needs regarding black carbon are discussed.