Located at the head of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), serves as China's main center for research into the diverse animal and ecological resources of southwestern China, Eastern Himalayas, and Southeast Asia. As of October 2019, it has been 60 years since the inception of KIZ. Since 1959, strong roots have been laid down by generations of researchers, allowing KIZ to grow and evolve into a comprehensive research institution renowned for its remarkable achievements in evolutionary mechanisms of animal biodiversity, animal resources protection, and sustainable utilization. It is now recognized as "a major powerhouse in evolutionary biology research in China" and is"establishing itself in the world stage" (Overseas Experts Review Committee, organized by the Bureau of Development Planning, CAS, during international evaluation in 2014).To celebrate the 60th anniversary of KIZ and the 70th anniversary of CAS, Zoological Research presents this commemorative issue, composed primarily of contributions from KIZ researchers. In addition, it is our great honor to provide here a brief retrospective of the pioneering work undertaken by the earlier scientists at KIZ and recent achievements, which will hopefully serve to motivate and inspire present and future successors.