This study investigates the major barriers in the development of China's green buildings and the ways to overcome these barriers. By survey, statistical analysis, and interview, we find that the high-incremental-cost and the immature green technologies are the two major barriers to the comprehensive and balanced development of green buildings in China. By analyzing the main causes of high incremental costs, solutions such as choosing the general or preferred items in different order and enhancing the incremental cost efficiency of green technology are proposed. Moreover, we show the green technology applications are still in early stage in China. Three strategies for improving the use of green technologies and development of highly cost-effective green technologies are also proposed. The present study provides recommendations to overcome the barriers, which could facilitate the rapid and full-scale development of green buildings in China.