Embryonic stem cells(ESCs) hold great promises for treating and studying numerous devastating diseases. The molecular basis of their potential is not completely understood. Large noncoding RNAs(lnc RNAs) are an important class of gene regulators that play essential roles in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes. Dozens of lnc RNAs are now identified to control ESC self-renewal and differentiation. Research on lnc RNAs may provide novel insights into manipulating the cell fate or reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells(i PSCs). In this review, we summarize the recent research efforts in identifying functional lnc RNAs and understanding how they act in ESCs, and discuss various future directions of this field. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) hold great promises for treating and studying numerous devastating diseases. The molecular basis of their potential is not completely understood. Large noncoding RNAs (lnc RNAs) are an important class of gene regulators that play essential roles in a variety of Research on lnc RNAs may provide novel insights into manipulating the cell fate or reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (i PSCs). In this review, we summarize the recent research efforts in identifying functional lnc RNAs and understanding how they act in ESCs, and discuss various future directions of this field.