Abstract: The North Qilian Mountain range is a typical region for paleo-plate tectonics studies in China, and Prof. Xiao Xuchang carried out some innovative works in this field. This orogenic belt is one of the three oldest cold oceanic subduction zone so far recognized in the world with a subduction history from 490 Ma to 440 Ma in rock record. In this paper, we have systematically summarized the research history in North Qilian orogenesis as well as new progresses in terms of high-pressure metamorphic rock and other rock fields during the recent years. By means of detailed mineralogical, petrologic, geochemical and geochronological studies, we've also put forward some new perspectives and review on the tectonic evolution of the North Qilian orogenesis in terms of ocean expansion, subduction and collisional orogeny.