Abstract: With the manufacturing industry transitioned from informatization to smart era in industry 4.0, dam construction is on its way to intellectualization. Based on a review of dam construction process in China, this paper summarizes characteristics of dam construction technology over typical stages. Four stages of construction technology are classified, namely, mechanization, automation, digitization and intellectualization. With the rapid development of computer technology, i.e. internet, automatic control and simulation technology, the concept of dam construction is changing from human centered pattern to digital and intelligent mode. Digital dam system is still improving, which will contribute to transformation of the construction type from digitization to intellectualization. Dam construction 4.0 introduces the mode of servo-control and initiates intelligent construction theories for super high arch dams, which have been successfully applied to the no-crack construction of Xiluodu dam.