The classic definition of an “orogen” is a belt of notably shortened, thickened and uplifted continental crust,which has been strongly deformed,metamorphosed and even partially melted,under the massive stress caused by subduction or collision.It is important to understand different types of orogenic mechanisms.“accretionary orogens”, “collisional orogens” and “intracratonic orogens” are formed inside or on the margins of continents,throughout the process of oceanic curst spreading, oceanic-continental subduction and continental collision.In this paper,we further discuss the kinematics and dynamics of curved orogens,irregular-shaped orogens and strike-slip-fault orogens,based on their geometries,thermal histories,tectonic styles and deep-subduction modes.The spatial and temporal transitions between accretionary and collisional orogens are also discussed.In the discussion part,we emphasize the recent major advances of in subduction zone research.The subduction zone and mantle plume work as conveyors of materials and energy throughout the Earth’s spheres.Their investigations should provide crucial information about the Earth’s crust-mantle convention,as well as the driving force of the plate movement.Therefore,the study of subduction zone should also be the focus in the research of orogens.In the outlook part,we address several key questions to be solved.The thermal evolution in orogeny is described,as well as its self-organizing mechanism through deformation, metamorphism,anatexis and mineralization processes.The importance of crust melting in orogeny is accentuated. The understanding of the rheological processes in the orogeny is fundamental in the study of continental orogens, but has not been adequately developed yet.The authors argue that the horizontal movement of tectonic plates is the major driving force of orogeny.On the other hand,geomorphic mountain building caused by vertical upwelling along divergent plate boundaries (including mid-ocean ridges), are not “orogens” by classic definition. This applies to the those “extensional orogens” and “rifting orogens”,as defined by some authors.