Abstract: Photonic crystals and nanofibers, two kinds of important photonic materials, possess the unique feature of being able to control the propagation of photons. They are thus an important platform for the study of the interaction of photons and matter on the mesoscopic scale, as well as an important basis for the realization of novel micro/nano-scale photonic devices. Progress in the research on ultrafast low-power photonic crystal all-optical switching, nanofiber sensors, interferometers, and hybrid dielectric-metallic nanowire components will be reviewed.