The present invention discloses a method and a system for recovering and utilizing crane operating energy, and a crane. The method of recovering and utilizing crane operating energy comprises: converting, by a first hydraulic power means, hydraulic energy generated by a hydraulic actuator into mechanical energy of a transmission shaft; driving, by the transmission shaft, a second hydraulic power means to rotate so as to convert the mechanical energy of the transmission shaft into mechanical energy of the second hydraulic power means; filling, by the second hydraulic power means, pressurized oil into an accumulator so as to convert the mechanical energy of the second hydraulic power means into hydraulic energy for storage. The present invention can effectively recover gravitational potential energy generated during crane lifting and lowering of a load in a derricking operation, and can reuse the recovered energy for driving in winching and derricking manners, which reduces fuel consumption, saves energy and reduces emission in crane operations.