The active fault mapping is the basis of active tectonics studies. Traditionally, the mapping is conducted by combining of interpretations of remote sensing images and aerial photographs, and field survey at typical sites along the fault. However, these methods are time consuming, and could only get the deformation patter along the fault at some typical sites, not along the whole fault strand. The light detection and ranging (LiDAR) survey can directly measure the elevation of the bare ground surface with high precision, which could provide the highest resolution data for active fault mapping along the entire fault strand so far. Recently, LiDAR surveys along major active faults are widely conducted in American, Europe, Japan, even in Taiwan province of China. In active fault mapping, LiDAR method has advantages over traditional field investigations especially in forestry and cities. Moreover, displacement measurements is efficient, accurate and of high precision based on high resolution LiDAR data; differencing pre- and post-earthquake LiDAR data is efficient in detecting co-seismic deformation pattern along the seismogenic faults. In this paper, we review the major researches of LiDAR surveys in active tectonics researches; and introduce the major advantages and prospect of LiDAR survey. In future, statewide airborne LiDAR survey along the major active faults will be imperative in China; hence, LiDAR data will be the major data source for active tectonics studies.