As a novel strategy forin vivovisualization tracking and monitoring, carbon dots (CDs) emitting long wavelengths (LW, 600-950 nm) have received tremendous attention due to their deep tissue penetration, low photon scattering, satisfactory contrast resolution and high signal-to-background ratios. Although, the mechanism of CDs emitting LW remains controversial and what properties are best forin vivovisualization have not been specifically elucidated, it is more conducive to thein vivoapplication of LW-CDs through rational design and ingenious synthesis based on the appreciation of the luminescence mechanism. Therefore, this review analyzes the current tracer technologies appliedin vivoand their advantages and disadvantages, with emphasis on the physical mechanism of emitting LW fluorescence forin vivoimaging. Subsequently, the general properties and merits of LW-CDs for tracking and imaging are summarized. More importantly, the factors affecting the synthesis of LW-CDs and its luminescence mechanism are highlighted. Simultaneously, the application of LW-CDs for disease diagnosis, integration of diagnosis and therapy are summarized. Finally, the bottlenecks and possible future directions of LW-CDs in visualization tracking and imagingin vivoare detailly discussed.