Coastal erosion and management attract much conern all around the world as coastal erosion is a problem at many coastal sites exacerbated by human activities and its adaptability through reasonable mitigation measures. This paper summarizes the main factors causing coastal erosion including reduction of sediment discharged by rivers trapped coastal structures, sand mining and reclaimation, relative sea-level rise, destruction of coastal ecosystem and weakening of coastal defenses. Mechanisms causing erosion of coastal dune, soft rock coast and muddy coast are identified and discussed. Sandy coastal erosion, soft rock coastal erosion, muddy coastal erosion, biological coastal erosion and coastal structural erosion are identified according to the characteristics of erosion in China. This study supplements the theory and methodology for coastal erosion management and provides information for managers and stakeholders.