In modern history of China, there is close relation between Yangtze River port trade and urban modernization. The openness of Yangtze River port cities promotes the modernization process of port cities. This paper discusses theoretical and real significance of development researches into port trade and urban modernization, and briefly expounds the research situation of academic circle on the relation between Yangtze River port trade and urban modernization in order to help historic workers to understand previous research results and to provide a platform for further research.