Progressive metamorphic zones/sequences are commonly found in orogenic belts formed from the Proterozoic to Cenozoic elsewhere in the world, although genesis of such metamorphic terranes is not fully understood. This paper summarizes the following problems directly related to progressive metamorphism: heat source, metamorphic reactions and P- T- t paths, origin and function of fluid, metamorphism versus deformation, granite and migmatization, tectonic exhumation as well as tectonic formation of progressive zones. Finally, this paper discusses possible tectonic models of progressive metamorphism.