The geochemical composition of sandstones in the sedimentary basin is controlled mainly by the tectonic setting of the provenance, and it is therefore possible to reveal the tectonic setting of the provenance and the nature of source rocks in terms of the geochemical composition of sandstones. The major elements, rare|earth elements and trace elements of the Mesozoic|Cenozoic sandstones in the Lanping Basin are studied in this paper, revealing that the tectonic settings of the provenance for Mesozoic|Cenozoic sedimentary rocks in the Lanping Basin belong to a passive continental margin and a continental island arc. Combined with the data on sedimentary facies and palaeogeography, it is referred that the eastern part of the basin is located mainly at the tectonic setting of the passive continental margin before Mesozoic, whereas the western part may be represented by a continental island arc. This is compatible with the regional geology data. The protoliths of sedimentary rocks should be derived from the upper continental crust, and are composed mainly of felsic rocks, mixed with some andesitic rocks and old sediment components. Therefore, the Lanping Mesozoic|Cenozoic Basin is a typical continental|type basin. This provides strong geochemical evidence for the evolution of the paleo|Tethys and the basin|range transition. The geochemical composition of sandstones in the sedimentary basin is controlled mainly by the tectonic setting of the provenance, and it is therefore possible to reveal the tectonic setting of the provenance and the nature of source rocks in terms of the geochemical composition of sandstones. The major elements, rare earth elements and trace elements of the Mesozoic | | Cenozoic sandstones in the Lanping Basin are studied in this paper, revealing that the tectonic settings of the provenance for Mesozoic | Cenozoic sedimentary rocks in the Lanping Basin belong to a passive continental margin and a continental island arc. with the data on sedimentary facies and palaeogeography, it is referred that the eastern part of the basin is located at the tectonic setting of the passive continental margin before Mesozoic, whereas the western part This is compatible with the regional geology data. The protoliths of sedimentary rocks sh ould be derived from the upper continental crust, and are composed mainly of felsic rocks, mixed with some andesitic rocks and old sediment components. Therefore, the Lanping Mesozoic | Cenozoic Basin is a typical continental | type basin. geochemical evidence for the evolution of the paleo | Tethys and the basin | range transition.