The reconstruction of the Carboniferous prototype basin is based on the stratal distribution, lithology and tectonic setting of the residual basin in the eastern part of northern Qaidam Basin. During the Early Carboniferous, the study area once went through two phases of transgressions. Controlled by the NWW-trending fault systems, the entire basin is roughly aligned as the Kunlun back arc rift basin, indicative of the intrabasinal low relief-backarc rift basin association in the back-arc epeiric sea basin-epeiric sea basin. The severe tectonic deformation during the latest Carboniferous led to the complete modification of the prototype basin.