The tectonic uplift of the Xizang (Tibet) Plateau is one of the major geological events of the Cenozoic, one of the important boundary conditions for the tectonic—climate evolution of the East Asia, and an important factor in the study of global climate change. The history and mechanism of the uplift of the Xizang Plateau are controversial, one of the most important reasons is the stratigraphic chronology. Reliable stratigraphy depositional ages are the basis for subsequent studies. The Hoh Xil Basin in the north—central part of the Xizang Plateau preserves continuous Late Cretaceous to Miocene sediments, which is an indispensable research material for the study of the tectonic evolution of the Xizang Plateau. In this paper, we will propose a new interpretation of the relevant traditional viewpoints, etc., based on the new progress in stratigraphic chronology of the Hoh Xil Basin, while synthesizing the existing geological evidence.Methods:Using the latest stratigraphic chronological advances in the Hoh Xil Basin, while integrating the various geological evidence available in the surrounding area.Results: Based on the latest Late Eocene to Miocene stratigraphic age results in the Hoh Xil Basin, and combining with other published stratigraphic ages with absolute age control points, this paper argues that the Fenghuoshan Group and the Tuotuohe Formation are two distinct units. Following the new result, the stratigraphic divisions of the Hoh Xil Basin from the oldest to the newest are as follows: the Fenghuoshan Group, the Tuotuohe Formation, the Yaxicuo Formation Group, and the Wudaoliang Formation. On the basis of the latest advance in stratigraphic depositional age in the Hoh Xil Basin, the evidence of the basin’s palaeoelevation, palaeolatitude, palaeotemperature, palaeomagnetism, changes in sedimentary facies, stratigraphic contact relationships, global temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the simulation of the relationship between the Asian monsoon and the uplift of the plateau, we drew the conclusion that: ① The direction of the GPS velocity kinematic field on the surface of the Xizang Plateau similar to the present eastward and southeastward escape may have been formed in the Eocene, with material east of the Tuotuohe Basin escaping to the southeast, and no such trend to the west, and the Tuotuohe Basin may have been an important boundary; ② The East Asian monsoon—inland aridification pattern similar to the present was formed in the Late Oligocene—Early Miocene; ③ The Late Oligocene—Early Miocene uplift of the north central Xizang Plateau has occurred in two main phases since the Eocene. The uplift from >38.5 to 26(24) Ma was mainly caused by the collision and extrusion shortening of the Indian and Eurasian plates, while the uplift from 16 Ma to the present was caused by the convective removal of the lithospheric mantle, and the uplift from 26(24) to 16 Ma was a period of relative quiescence; ④ The main planation surface of the north—central Xizang Plateau may have been developed during the period 26(24)~16 Ma; ⑤ Angular unconformity contact is not a reliable discriminator of the occurrence of tectonic events; ⑥ The occurrence of salt minerals such as gypsum is not a reliable indicator of aridification, but seems to indicate that at least one period of wet climate should have existed in the region prior to the precipitation of salt minerals. According to this theory, it may imply that a monsoon climate already existed in the east—central part of our country at least in the Paleocene.Conclusions:New advances in the stratigraphic chronology of the Hoh Xil Basin and its palaeoenvironmental significance suggest that some indicators need to be interpreted with caution.