Background: With the increased recognition of Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs) in China, especially since CSRs were indexed by SCI, more and more Chinese people are choosing CSRs as their research topic. This brings pressure to ensure the quality of CSR training workshops run by the Chinese Cochrane Centre. Objectives: To explore the challenges of CSR training workshops (2006-2008) and to identify strategies to better meet the needs of the participants. Methods: Based on previous investigations, we designed a quantitative survey of all registered participants and collected their feedback on the arrangements of the workshop, challenges and on their needs. Results: 1) The overall response rate was 83% (138/167). The three days’ training was divided into three parts, including teaching, exercise and discussion. The CSR training has gradually improved over the past three years. 2) Participants came from 21 provinces in China and 71% (119/167) were graduate students. 3) Only 11% (15/138) selected their topic before training. After training, most participants were satisfied with the arrangements for the workshop and thought the most helpful contents (scores of > 8 out of 10) were: meta-analysis and statistics 84% (113/135); trials selection, inclusion and extraction 79% (108/136); literature evaluation 78% (107/137); and results analysis and explanation 73% (99/136). 4) Some participants desired more time for exercises and advice on keeping track of the development of their reviews. Conclusions: Cochrane systematic reviews have become an important research topic for graduate students in China. Most participants benefited from the CSR workshops. More time on exercises is needed and the trainees’ further development should be followed up.