The unconventional natural gas resources is abundant in China but with low degree of development and utilization. Moreover, there is advanced technology and experiences from outside China can be learned. It is of great strategic significance to accelerate the development and utilization of unconventional natural gas resources for economic and social development as well as the energy security. Based on the evaluation of the potential and exploitation trends of four types of unconventional natural gas resources, some strategies and measures were recommended in this paper. The studies suggested that the grand total technically recoverable resources of shale gas, tight gas and coal-bed methane in China is approximately 3.1×1013 m3, which is 1.5 times that of conventional natural gas resources. Both technological innovation and policy support from the government are the key to achieve the large-scale development and utilization of unconventional natural gas resources. A three-step strategy can be applied in the development and utilization of unconventional natural gas in China. The output of unconventional natural gas is predicted to draw equal with that of the conventional natural gas around 2020; it is expected to reach approximately 3×1011 m3 around 2030, accounting for 2/3 of the national total. It will be the main contributor for the sustainable and sound development of China’s natural gas industry.