The structures and the chemical nature of gallium species in gallium-containing zeolite catalysts prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and post-synthesis treatments are discussed based on the results of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), including X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigations. The in-situ analysis of properties of gallium active sites during oxidation/reduction cycles has been found to be further helpful on the understanding of the catalytic role of gallium species in the aromatization of alkanes.