Tribology at cryogenic temperatures has attracted people’s attention since the 1950s with the acceleration of its applications on hi-tech equipment such as the cryogenic wind tunnel, liquid fuel rocket, space infrared telescope, superconducting device, planetary exploration, which requires solid lubrication for moving parts at low temperature down to 4 K in cryogenic liquid, gaseous or vacuum environments. Here the research progresses on cryo-tribology are reviewed. Tribological properties and mechanisms of solid lubricants listed as carbon material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), polymer and polymer-based composite, etc. with decreasing temperature are summarized. The friction coefficient was found to increase with decreasing temperature induced by thermally activated processes. The mechanism of transfer film formation should be noticed as a significant way to promote the tribological properties of the solid lubricant. On the other hand, applications of solid lubrication on moving parts under cryogenic conditions such as the spherical plain bearing, roller bearing are introduced. Tribological test technology of materials and bearings at cryogenic temperatures is summarized where the environmental control, motion and loading realization, as well as friction and wear measurement together at low-temperature environment result in the difficulties and challenges of the low-temperature tribotester. It is worth mentioning that novel technologies and tribotesters were developed for tribo-tests and tribological studies of solid lubricant, spherical plain bearing and roller bearing respectively by overcoming the limitation on cooling in vacuum, resolution of friction measurement, etc., and concentrating on in-situ observation of friction interface aiming to not only promote a deep understanding of friction and wear mechanism at low temperatures, but also give insights into performance of moving parts or components in cryogenic applications.