Last glacial pollen record from Lanzhou (Northwestern China) and possible forcing mechanisms for the MIS 3 climate change in Middle to East Asia

► The Lanzhou pollen sequence indicates a 60-46-ka warm and 46-27-ka cooling climate. ► The result correlates well with many climate records around the world. ► The Lanzhou pollen record reveals distinct climate deterioration since ∼40 ka. ► Insolation decline and feedbacks of albedo and vegetation seems important. ► 40-30-ka warm-humid or humid climate in Asia is regional or local instead overall.