Hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs), integrating inner cavity and mesoporous structure, have large specific surface area, tunable pore sizes, low density and favorable permeability, thus providing great potential applications in many fields. The major preparation methods of HMSNs were summarized and compared with each other on the special advantages. The research progress on hard-core templating, liquid-interface assembly, interfacial reassembly and transformation for preparing HMSNs are introduced in detail. And, the application of HMSNs in the fields of biomedicine, catalysis and optics are also introduced and explained. Moreover, the challenges and further researches on preparation and application of HMSNs are summarized and prospected.