The model of the cement clinker burning system is important for understanding and optimizing the calcining process, controlling the burning state, and improving the combustion efficiency. However, it is difficulty to model the calcining process for its complicated mechanism and unstable burning state. In recent decades, a large number of outstanding scientific discoveries have sprung up, but there is much room for improvement. This paper reviews the development of modelling methods on the cement clinker burning system, and summaries the merits and demerits of these approaches. Finally, future research directions of modeling the cement clinker burning system are suggested.