The article reviews the emerging field of van der Waals heterostructures, which involve stacking different two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals layer by layer to create complex artificial materials. This approach has been shown to produce materials with unusual properties and new phenomena, promising a new gold rush in condensed matter physics and materials science. The authors discuss the challenges and opportunities in fabricating these heterostructures, emphasizing the importance of precise control over layer alignment and the need for clean interfaces to minimize contamination. They also highlight the potential applications of van der Waals heterostructures, including high-temperature superconductivity and advanced electronic devices. The review concludes by discussing the future directions and potential breakthroughs in this rapidly evolving research area.The article reviews the emerging field of van der Waals heterostructures, which involve stacking different two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals layer by layer to create complex artificial materials. This approach has been shown to produce materials with unusual properties and new phenomena, promising a new gold rush in condensed matter physics and materials science. The authors discuss the challenges and opportunities in fabricating these heterostructures, emphasizing the importance of precise control over layer alignment and the need for clean interfaces to minimize contamination. They also highlight the potential applications of van der Waals heterostructures, including high-temperature superconductivity and advanced electronic devices. The review concludes by discussing the future directions and potential breakthroughs in this rapidly evolving research area.