Computational particle based methods provide unique and powerful numerical tools for modelling systems exhibiting discrete and/or discontinuous behaviour, such as granular materials. Such systems are highly heterogeneous, typically composed of voids and particles with different sizes and shapes. Geological matter, soil and clay, soil-rock mixture in nature, geo-structure, concrete, etc. are some practical examples. Significant progress has been made in the development of particle based computational methods for granular materials in China over the last decade. This special issue contains 14 selected papers, presented in the 1st and 2nd Chinese National Conferences on Computational Mechanics of Granular Materials (CMGM), held respectively in September 16-18, 2012 in Zhang-Jia-Jie, and in August 23-25 August, 2014, in Lan-Zhou, China. We hope that the special issue would provide an up-to-date review of the most recent developments in China on computational mechanics of granular materials and related subjects.