It is also the first time lunar samples have landed back on Earth for the first time since the Soviet Union’s Luna 24 robot probe in 1976.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) reported that the capsule carrying the samples separated from the rocket as it neared Earth.
As it did so, it bounced off of Earth's atmosphere - a calculated move which was designed to slow down the pace of the lander.
The capsule is currently on its way to Beijing, where it will be opened by scientists who will have fresh lunar samples to analyse.
China Moon probe successfully returns to Earth in historic space mission (Image: GETTY)