The relationship between university and society has always been the topic that concerned and discussed of scholars in the education circles. In recent years, the academic circles' debate on 'adaptation theory' and 'rational view' of higher education has led to further reflection and discuss on the relationship between universities and society. Based on the current situation of university development in China, this paper analyzes the evolution of the relationship between universities and society in modern times in China, and tries to understand the relationship between universities and society from the perspective of historical development so that we can learn from history to the future.