Abstract: Based on the remote sensing data of the five phases in 1987, 1993,1999,2006 and 2010 respectively, and using the optimum spectral composition of the images, the evolution of northern and southern coastlines of the Yangtze estuary over 20 years was revealed, The image interpretation showed that the coastline in the research area increased from 526.7 km to 579.7 km and the area expanded by 541.48 km2 during 1987 to 2010. Obvious changes were found in the five parts of the estuary, i.e. the southern coast of Haimen, the northern and eastern coast of the Chongming Island, the eastern coast of the Pudong New Area, the northern coast of the Changxing Island and the eastern coast of the Hengsha Island, where coastlines prograded towards the sea with different speeds. These changes of coastline were mainly from the change in sediment discharge into the estuary and the influence of construction of large ports and reclamation projects.