The microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-4.2Zn-1.5RE-0.7Zr alloy were investigated under different heat treatment conditions. The as-cast alloy consisted ofα-Mg phase, T-phase and Mg51Zn20 phase. After aging treatment （single-step （325 °C, 10 h） and two-step （325 °C, 4 h）＋（175 °C, 14 h））, neither T-phase nor Mg51Zn20 phase dissolved into the matrix and the coarsening ofα-Mg phase was not significant. When peak-aged at 325 °C for 10 h, dense short rod-likeβ′1 phase precipitated in the matrix. Further ageing at 325 °C led to coarsening ofβ′1 phase and a decrease in number density. Alloy aged at 325 °C for 10 h achieved the highest yield strength （YS） and ultimate tensile strength （UTS） of 153.9 MPa and 247.0 MPa, which were increased by 48 MPa and 23 MPa from as-cast condition, respectively. While the elongation slightly decreased to 15.6%. Comparatively, the YS and UTS of alloy two-step aged by （325 °C, 4 h）＋（175 °C, 14 h） showed little difference from those of single-step aged alloy, but with a lower elongation of 13.4%. In addition, the fracture surfaces of Mg-4.2Zn-1.5RE-0.7Zr alloy under different thermal conditions were mainly characterized by quasi-cleavage feature, but with differences in the details.
