Objective To investigate the effect of virtual simulation experimental teaching on clinical anesthesia teaching. Methods A total of 45 five‑year undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in School of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2021 and 2022 were selected as a virtual simulation group, which were provided with virtual simulation experimental in addition to traditional teaching model. Meanwhile, another 47 students with the same major at the same grade in 2019 and 2020 were selected as a control group. Both group were compared for theoretical scores and operational skill scores, excellence rates in internship scores, and students' satisfaction. Results There was no statistical difference in the theoretical scores and operational skill scores between the two groups before internship (all P>0.05). Compared with the control group, students in the virtual simulation group showed increases in theoretical scores, operational skill scores, excellence rates in internship scores, and students' satisfaction after internship (all P<0.05). Conclusions Virtual simulation experimental teaching provide a safe and effective method for clinical anesthesia teaching, which helps to improve students' clinical practice ability and teaching satisfaction.