As an important bridge between the underlying surface and the free atmosphere, the atmospheric boundary layer is not only closely related to the development of various weather processes, but also plays a key role in local and regional weather and climate changes. In view of the complexity of the atmospheric boundary layer, the numerical simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer has always been a hotspot and difficulty in the numerical simulation research of the atmosphere. In this paper, the three numerical model development stages of the atmospheric boundary layer in recent decades were summarized and the important advances in arid and semi-arid areas, Tibet Plateau, urban complex underlying surface, and special typhoon boundary layer were reviewed. At present, there are still five scientific problems to be solved urgently, including cloud and boundary layer interaction, boundary layer parameterization, model resolution, boundary layer data assimilation and boundary layer development mechanism. Moreover, it was pointed out that in this field we need to strengthen the understanding of different types of atmospheric boundary layer processes, boundary layer bottom and top interface exchange, boundary layer development mechanism in special regions, improve boundary layer parameterization scheme and give full play to the advantages of LES in boundary layer simulation.