Stratiform clouds are the main precipitation system in most parts of North China. It is necessary to combine the analysis of composite observation data with the new numerical models to study further the characteristics and precipitation mechanisms of stratiform clouds. The categories and characteristics of stratiform clouds are described. The research methods and main findings in researches on microphysical characteristics at home and abroad in such areas as cloud drop spectrum, ice crystal spectrum, snow particle spectrum, raindrop spectrum and total particle spectrum are discussed through analyzing airborne PMS data and surface raindrop data. In addition, the researches methods and main achievements in stratiform cloud precipitation mechanism researches are also introduced, including stratiform cloud precipitation simulation and cold and warm cloud precipitation mechanism researches.