South China is one of the best developed areas for geological research in China. Recent discoveries based on new data have significantly improved the understanding of the pre- Jurassic tectonic evolution of South China. This paper combines our new results with the previously available literature to highlight new scientific challenges. The major advances on the South China geology include (1) the Precambrian geological features such as the tectonic framework of multiple terranes, the location of collision/suturing zone between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, the nature of so called Cathaysia Oldland and Neoproterozoic metamorphism, (2) the formation time and evidence for Proto- South China Continent, (3) the tectonic significance of the Early Paleozoic folded belt in the South China, including pre- tectonic settings of intracontinental orogeny, the stratigraphic sequences and depositional environments in the Cambrian- Ordovician period, the evidence and indications of intracontinental orogeny, the genesis of widespread S- type granitic magma and the driving mechanism of the intracontinental orogeny, (4) the Late Paleozoic depositional environment and the Early Mesozoic tectonism and granitic magmatism, such as the stratigraphic sequences and the depositional environment of the radiolarian- bearing cherts, the nature and origin of Early- Middle Triassic S- type granitoids, and the geodynamics of the Early Mesozoic tectonic and magmatic event. This paper also discusses several critical challenges in the geological studies of the South China. With this article, we look forward to drawing the attention of the geological society and promoting the study of the South China geology.