A clear and systematic cognition of large deformation of tunnel surrounding rock is important for the further and specific research. Based on the existing research, large deformation of tunnel surrounding rock is defined as the deformation phenomenon, with obvious time effect and plastic deformation, exceeding the allowable range of specification and having seriously effects on the normal usability of tunnel engineering and even ultimately leading to the loss of the overall structural stability of tunnel. From the angle of deformation origin, the types of large deformation of tunnel surrounding rock are reclassified to expansion type, high ground stress soft rock type, loess type, high ground temperature type, and compound type. The deformation mechanism, constitutive model and supporting theory of large deformation of various surrounding rock types are summarized, and the control measures and construction methods are taken for different types of large deformation of surrounding rock.  In this process, it was found that there are still some deficiencies, and possible future development trends are put forward: (1) The mechanism of large deformation of tunnel surrounding rock will be improved, and the law of large deformation and stress characteristics of tunnel surrounding rock are summarized through field detection, model test and finite element analysis and simulation, which can provide scientific basis for engineering practice and achieve accurate support of large deformation. (2) The classification control measures for large deformation of surrounding rock of different types of tunnels are unified. Due to the variety, complexity, and particularity of the project, it is difficult to summarize the general control measures for all types of large deformation of surrounding rock of various tunnels. However, based on a large number of large deformation cases, the formulation of control measures for specific large deformation type of different types of tunnels still has high engineering reference value.