With the development of atmospheric detection technology and the increasing of computer power, the stratospheric detection data has become abundant and the numerical models for the middle atmosphere have been developed rapidly in recent years. As a result, the important physical, chemical and dynamical processes in the stratosphere have been studied thoroughly, which improves the understanding of stratospheric circulation. This article reviews the climatological characteristics, maintaining mechanisms, inter-annual variabilities and long-term trends of the general stratospheric circulation systems, including Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO), stratospheric residual (Brewer-Dobson, BD) circulation and stratospheric polar circulation. The main factors and processes influencing these systems are also discussed. Finally, an outlook of major scientific questions related to stratospheric circulation is presented.