Vegetation and climatic changes of SW China in response to the uplift of Tibetan Plateau

► Miocene vegetation in Yunnan was mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests. ► The palaeovegetation suggests a subtropical climate. ► The Middle Miocene climate in Yunnan was obviously cooler than today. ► Palaeoclimate at SE edge of Tibetan plateau was warmer and wetter than central part. ► Climate at SE edge of the Tibetan Plateau gradually warmed since the Miocene.