Objective To study the effect of Baduanjin exercise combined with breathing training on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in community. Methods We selected 70 patients with severe and extremely severe COPD at stable period in the community from June 2016 to April 2017. The patients were randomly divided into group A (25 cases), group B (23 cases) and group C (22 cases). Patients in group A were treated with Baduanjin exercise combined breathing training, while group B patients only used breathing exercise, and group C patients did not have exercise. We recorded and compared the lung function, six-minute walking distance and St Georges breathing score before and after treatment in the three groups. Results The pulmonary function of patients in group A and group B had been improved more than that before the treatment and of group C (P<0.05), and group A had been improved (P<0.05); the walking distance in group A and group B increased more than that before the treatment and of group C (P<0.05), and group A increased a greater degree than that of group B (P<0.05); The St Georges breathing score in group A and group B decreased than before the treatment and of group C (P<0.05); and group A decreased more than that of group B (P<0.05). Conclusion The Baduanjin exercise combined with breathing training may improve the pulmonary function and athletic ability of the patients with COPD, relieve dyspnea, reduce the influence of the illness on the activities activities of daily living of the patients. It has good clinical effect and is worthy of clinical application.