This paper focuses on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in response to cadmium (Cd) stress in rice. A number of Cd-responsive miRNAs in rice were identified by using microarray assay and quantitative Real-time PCR. The downstream targets were mainly regulatory genes which encoded transcription factors and protein kinases. These target genes were reported to be associated with metabolic processes and signal pathways. Promoter analysis showed that metal stress-responsive cis-elements tended to occur more frequently in the promoter regions of Cd-responsive miRNAs. These findings suggested that miRNAs played an important role in Cd tolerance in rice, and highlighted a heavy metal tolerance network involving miRNAs in plants.