Abstract: Hydropower is the critical technology to relieve the energy crisis and environmental pollution. As an im? portant structure of the hydropower project, safe construction and operation of the hydraulic tunnel is one key factor.The geological conditions are very complex in southwest China, and water inflow often occurs when the hydraulic tunnel passes through adverse strata, endangering the lives and properties. Based on the existing papers and documents, the water inflow and burst issue of the hydraulic tunnels of hydropower projects in southwest China was analyzed in this paper. It comes to the following conclusions: (1) the main types of hydraulic tunnels include tunnel groups at the hub area and long distance tunnels beside rivers; (2) governed by the hydrogeological structure, water inflow and burst events often occur through rock fissures for the tunnel groups at the hub area, and for the long distance tunnels beside rivers, the water inflow and burst events occur through rock fissures, in complex fractured zone and in karst area; (3) the surrounding rocks of hydraulic tunnels suffered from water inflow and burst are often characterized by developed fractures and structures as well as extensive distribution of soluble rocks; (4) in view of the safety, economy and ecology of the hydraulic tunnel, it is necessary to analyze the features of groundwater, optimize the detection technology for fractures and karst system, establish mathematical and numerical models of quantification of water inflow and burst, organize an expert team of decision making, compile specific, integrated and scientific regulations, and propose treatment measures.