The processes of crop growth are directly influenced by the environment, and climate condition is one of crucial factors. Based on the distribution of the major grain- producing areas in China, the paper summarized the impacts of historical climate change on the growth durations of wheat, corn and rice. The results showed that climate change has delayed winter wheat sowing date and shortened the growth period in the North China. The mortality of wheat in winter decreased, water use efficiency was increased and the whole growth period shortened in Northwest China. For corn, suitable planting dates for spring corn were ahead of conventional schedule, potential growth period extended for about ten days in recent fifty years and planting areas of late maturity corn increased in Northeast China. The growth durations of summer corn were extended which promoted "two late planting technologies" in the wheat-corn rotation planting system in North China. Moreover, sowing date of corn was ahead of regular time and the whole growth period was extended on irrigated corn but shortened on rain-fed corn in Northwest China. For rice, the growth period was ahead of regular schedule and filling stage was shortened in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The growth duration of rice was only extended about 3 days per decade in Northeast China and it was shortened in the rest areas of China. In general, climate warming made sowing date earlier for spring planting crops and later for autumn planting crops, the whole growth duration of the traditional crop varieties commonly shortened. Through the variety selection and technology adjustment, climate warming can give more potential productivity to crops by heat resource increase and avoid disaster risk in some extent.