Cenozoic trachytes are characteristic of some active volcanic fields in China. In particular, the origin and mechanisms of the evolution of trachytes from the Tianchi (Changbaishan) volcano (TV, China/North Korea) are poorly known. Here, we present new geochronological, geochemical and isotopic data on two trachytic suites outcropping on the northern and southern upper slopes of TV. Detailed zircon laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating, Rb-Sr isochron dating of plagioclase and hornblende, 40Ar/39Ar chronology with mineral chemistry, whole-rock element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data are used to explore their origins and evolutionary mechanisms during the late Middle Pleistocene. Our data indicate that the trachytes mainly consist of sanidine, orthoclase and plagioclase, with minor albite, quartz and hornblende. They formed at 0.353–0.346 Ma (lava flow from the northern slope) and 0.383–0.311 Ma (lava flow from the southern slope), respectively. The TV trachytes are characterized by high K2O/Na2O and AR values, with low A/CNK and Mg# values. They are enriched in rare earth elements (REEs; except Eu), depleted in Sr and Ba, crystallizing at 742–858°C. The TV trachytes have high (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.70776–0.71195), positive εNd(t) values (0.61–2.93) and radiogenic 206Pb/204Pb values (17.515–17.806). These values are similar to those of the Pleistocene and Holocene TV trachytes. Geochemical data indicate that they were formed by fractional crystallization from a basaltic melt and assimilated upper crust material.