Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant neoplasm derived from cholangiocytes. The incidence of CCA is only lower than that of hepatocellular carcinoma and ranked the second in liver malignant cancers. The prognosis of CCA patients is poor and most patients will die within a few months after diagnosis. CCA is related to various risk factors, including primary sclerosing cholangitis, cirrhosis, certain chemical agents and liver fluke. Establishment of proper animal models of CCA can not only be helpful for understanding the mechanisms of incidence and development, but also lay a solid foundation for developing novel treatment strategies. Common animal models of CCA include carcinogen-induced models, implantation models, operation models, and genetically engineered models.