Abstract: After years of practice and development, greenway has scored tremendous achievements in China in the aspects of theoretical connotation, planning and route selection, and comprehensive benefits. This research, based on a range of publicly available documents, proceeds with the specific practical process of greenways in various parts of China over the past 20 years, and sorts out the changes in the role of greenways in the planning system, the gradual refinement in the setting of indicators, and implement of greenway management and control. It summarizes the development and changes of greenway construction in China in the three stages from the campaign style, normalization recognition to institutionalization. Having looked forward to the further institutionalization of greenways, it inspires other planning concepts and approaches in China from the greenway experience.