Abstract: The Qaidam Basin is located in the northern Tibet Plateau, which continuously migrates resulting from the rise of the Plateau. At the same time, the occurrence of a variety of arid climates leads to several vertical salinization sequences. Here, by combing the analyses of stratigraphy, burial history, structural geology, petrology, salinity and mineralization data, the lake migration and its vertical salinization in the Qaidam Basin since the Cenozoic is unveiled, and the potential of salinization sequences on the development of source rock is further discussed. The results show that the sedimentary center from the Paleogene Lulehe Formation to the lower member of the Lower Ganchaigou Formation (E1+2~E31) is located near the western Aljin Mountain and the southwest of the Qaidam Basin; the sedimentary center from the upper member of the Xiaganchaigou Formation to the Shangganchaigou Formation (E32~N1) is located in Yingxiongling, and the sedimentary center from Shangganchaigou Formation to Shangyoushashan Formation (N1~N22) is located in northwestern Qaidam. From Shangyoushashan Formation to the Shizigou Formation (N22~N23), the sedimentary center migrates eastwards. In the Quaternary, the sedimentary center area is in the Three Lakes area in the east of Qaidam. The western Qaidam mainly exhibited three main salinization sequences: the first is from the Lulehe Formation to the upper member of the Xiaganchaigou Formation, the second is from the Shangganchaigou Formation to the middle of the Shangyoushashan Formation, and the third is from the middle Xiayoushashan Formation to the Shizigou Formation. Through the relationship between paleosalination and the development of source rocks, it is proved that the brackish water is conducive to the development and preservation of premium source rocks.