Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a newly identified pathogen causing acute respiratory tract infections in young infants worldwide. Since its initial documentation in China in 2003, Chinese scientists have made significant efforts to prevent and control HMPV, including developing diagnostic methods, vaccines, and antiviral agents. However, effective vaccines or specific antiviral agents are not yet available, making early diagnosis and understanding its epidemiological characteristics crucial for HMPV control. This review summarizes current research on the epidemiological characteristics of HMPV in China and its available detection methods. The prevalence of HMPV among patients with acute respiratory illness ranged from 0.97% to 15.88%, with the highest prevalence observed in Chongqing, Henan, Tianjin, and Jiangsu. The A2b, B1, and B2 lineages are the predominant strains in China, while the A1 lineage was rarely detected. RT-qPCR is the most widely used method for HMPV detection, followed by visual detection methods like LAMP, RAA, and CRISPR-Cas12a combined with RPA. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is another emerging technology for identifying unknown pathogens. The review highlights the importance of continued monitoring of HMPV's epidemiological spread and genetic evolution in China to prevent outbreaks and reduce public health threats.Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a newly identified pathogen causing acute respiratory tract infections in young infants worldwide. Since its initial documentation in China in 2003, Chinese scientists have made significant efforts to prevent and control HMPV, including developing diagnostic methods, vaccines, and antiviral agents. However, effective vaccines or specific antiviral agents are not yet available, making early diagnosis and understanding its epidemiological characteristics crucial for HMPV control. This review summarizes current research on the epidemiological characteristics of HMPV in China and its available detection methods. The prevalence of HMPV among patients with acute respiratory illness ranged from 0.97% to 15.88%, with the highest prevalence observed in Chongqing, Henan, Tianjin, and Jiangsu. The A2b, B1, and B2 lineages are the predominant strains in China, while the A1 lineage was rarely detected. RT-qPCR is the most widely used method for HMPV detection, followed by visual detection methods like LAMP, RAA, and CRISPR-Cas12a combined with RPA. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is another emerging technology for identifying unknown pathogens. The review highlights the importance of continued monitoring of HMPV's epidemiological spread and genetic evolution in China to prevent outbreaks and reduce public health threats.