The invention provides an MAC address learning method based on VPLS and a system, wherein VPLS dual homing network includes a plurality of renting units and a plurality of PEs, and a main virtual link and a standby virtual link are arranged between the plurality of renting units and opposite terminals PEs connected to a first PE of CE. The method comprises: the first PE timely acquires local MAC address, and transmits the acquired MAC address to all opposite terminals PEs of the first PE; each opposite terminal PE respectively uses corresponding virtual link to receive and store MAC address, under the condition that the virtual link for receiving the MAC address is not used for flow transmission, binds the MAC address to the virtual link of the MAC address and transmits the MAC address tothe plurality of renting units; the plurality of renting units receive and store the MAC address, and binds the MAC address to the virtual link for receiving the MAC address. According to the invention, the condition of flow broadcast after switch of the main/standby virtual link is avoided.