Abstract: Through the investigation of the evolution of fossil man in the context of physical environment since Pliocene in China, this paper puts forward some suggestive ideas:
1. The main characters of physical environment since Pliocene in China are the gradual formation of three great topographic steps from west to east, the climatic changes, and the beginning of areal differentiation into three natural realms (Eastern Monsoon Area, North-western Arid Area, Tibetan Frigid Area), which had great effect on the evolution of fossil man in China.
2. Influenced and restricted by the physical environment, the fossil man of China lived mainly in the Eastern Monsoon Area of which the physical conditions were the very best among the three natural realms.
3. The general trend of distribution of fossil man was from south to north, then furthere to north-east in China.
4. The earliest fossil man in China probably had came from other parts of the world, entering China from the south.

Key words: Physical environment; Evolution of fossil man; China