Abstract: High molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW PAHs) are a group of widespread and persistent organic pollutants with complex chemical structure and high hydrophobicity, whereas microorganisms play a key role in the biodegradation of HMW PAHs. This paper summarized the bacterial strains that can degrade HMW PAHs, related degradation mechanisms, and the environmental factors (soil nutrient contents, soil pH, soil structure and aeration, and combined pollution) affecting the biodegradation of HMW PAHs, and discussed the further research directions and focuses on the HMW PAHs-contaminated soil, aimed to provide references on the researches of bioremediation of HMW PAHs-contaminated environments and molecular mechanisms involved in the microbial degradation of HMW PAHs.