The urbanization of European rural areas was from the eleventh century to the twenty-first century, and it could be divided into four stages. The high and late Middle Ages were a preparatory stage of rural urbanization. In the early modern period, the proto-industrialization prompted the urbanization process to start. In the period of industrialization, rural urbanization reached its climax. The post- industrial urbanization proceeded with multi-forms. After urbanization, the rural lifestyle showed no difference from the urban lifestyle. The process of rural urbanization in Europe had many characteristics. It lasted for a long time, and was vigorously promoted by the government, but at the same time allowed a natural development. The balance of the overall arrangement and development of towns, agriculture, and a new rural economy were stressed. All of these have provided useful insights to China who is on its way to urbanization.