Geological origins of long-wavelength magnetic anomalies in China and surrounding regions are reviewed, including six magnetic high anomalies over the (1) Tarim Basin, (2) Sichuan Basin (3) Great Xing'an Range, (4) Barmer Basin, (5) Central Myanmar Basin, and (6) Sunda and Banda Arcs, and a striking magnetic low anomaly along the southern part of the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau.• The tectonic backgrounds for these long-wavelength anomalies are related to either ancient basin basement or subduction-collision zone.• The difficulties of geological interpretation of long-wavelength magnetic anomalies come mainly from limited surface exposure of sources, later tectonic destruction, and superposition of multi-phase events.