Loess landslides are widely distributed in China and can have catastrophic consequences, and have therefore become one of hot research topics in engineering geology. In this paper, the present classification schemes of loess landslides were firstly summarized. Since the sliding material and the location of slip surface are most important for a landslide, it is thus suggested that the classification scheme, which can reflect the sliding material and the slip surface, should be used as a basic classification for loess landslide survey. Secondly, the paper discussed landslide initiation and movement mechanisms of the landslides occurring within loess and the landslides occurring at the interface between loess and underlying mudstone. Two typical long-runout loess landslides caused by static liquefaction were taken as examples and their possible pore pressure generation modes were proposed. The paper also briefly reviewed the research progress on earthquake-triggered landslides in loess area. Finally, some thoughts on future research of loess landslides were presented.