As a key subfield in climatology, the study of climate changes is the research focus of physical geography in China. In this article, we review recent progress in such study, which focused on past climate changes and climate change impacts and adaptations in the context of present global warming. The highlights and results of the studies are summarized, especially on the following issues: reconstruction of past climate in China, analysis of the spatiotemporal patterns of climate changes and their impacts during historical times in China, characteristics of changes on climate regionalization in China under global warming since 1950, regional difference of impacts of recent global warming on natural ecosystems, water resources, and agriculture in China, and comprehensive climate change risk regionalization of China. These results provided a solid scientific basis for forming disciplinary development strategies and further studies of related issues in the field of physical geography in China.