Abstract： Based on field geological investigation in northwestern and northeastern Tarim Basin, in combination with paleomagnetic mapping and previous researches, this paper has discussed the evolution process of the basin in Cryogenian-Cambrian period according to sedimentary-tectonic event and other evidence. Across the Tarim Basin, surface outcrops of Cryogenian to Cambrian sedimentary succession are completely exposed in the vicinity of Aksu area (northwest Tarim), Kuruktag (northeast Tarim) and southwest Tarim, thus providing a unique, well preserved and accessible means with which researchers can study the early development of northern Tarim Basin. The major lithologic types of Cryogenian-Cambrian strata in northeast Tarim include tillite, clastic rocks (rich in organic matter) and carbonate intercalated with volcanic rocks; in northwest Tarim, calstic rocks and carbonate are the common rock types, intercalated with small amounts of tillite and volcanic rocks. The north margin of Tarim block, which was a part of Rodinia supercontinent and neighbored the northwestern margin of Australia, was deeply rifted in Cryogenian-Ediacaran period and developed into two rifts in the northwestern and northeastern margin, forming a thick layer of rift-passive margin deposits, but the layer in the northwestern rift was not so completely developed as the layer in the northeastern margin. The earliest rift-passive margin sediments which can be observed are Cryogenian-Middle Ordovician strata, and the period can be divided into Cryogenian faulted period (supercontinent rifting stage) and Ediacaran-Middle Ordovician subsidence period (plate drifting stage).