Datangpo-type sedimentary manganese deposits, which are located in northeastern Guizhou province and its adjacent areas, are Mn carbonate-type deposits hosted in black carbonaceous shale that represent a series of medium to large deposits containing a huge tonnage of reserves. PAAS-normalized rare earth element distribution patterns of manganese ores record "hat-shaped" REY (REE + Y) plots characterized by pronounced middle rare earth element enrichment, evident positive Ce anomalies, weak to strong positive Eu anomalies and negligible negative Y anomalies. These REY geochemical characteristics are different from those of country rocks and record the processes and features of sedimentation and diagenesis. Manganese was precipitated as Mn-oxyhydroxide particles in oxidized water columns with the sorption of a certain amount of rare earth elements, subsequently transforming from Mn-oxyhydroxides to rhodochrosite and redistributing REY in reducing alkaline pore-water during early diagenesis. A number of similarities can be observed through a comparison of Datangpo-type manganese ores and modern marine ferromanganese oxyhydroxide precipitates based on their rare earth elements. The precipitation of Datangpo-type manganese ores is similar to that of hydrogenetic crusts and nodules based on their positive Ce anomalies and relatively higher total REY concentrations. However, several differences also exist. Compared to hydrogenetic crusts and nodules, Datangpo-type manganese ores record smaller positive Ce anomalies, lower total REY concentrations, unobvious fractionation between Y and Ho, and weak to strong positive Eu anomalies. These were caused by quicker sedimentary rates in the oxic water columns of the shallower basin, after which pore water became strongly reducing and alkaline due to the degradation of organic matter in the early diagenetic stage. In addition, compared to typical deposits in the world, Datangpo-type manganese ores are similar to hydrogenetic deposits and different than hydrothermal deposits. All of these characteristics of manganese ores indicate that Datangpo-type manganese ores, the principal metallogenic factors of which include oxidation conditions during deposition and reducing conditions during early diagenetic stages, represent hydrogenetic deposits.