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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 oft-com:office:smarttags" />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.