Abstract: Geological characteristics of the Niujiaoshan granitoid gneisses in the Qinling core complex indicate that they are the oldest granitoid plutons recognized in the complex and can be viewd as pre or syntectonic plutons in the Jinning movement. Six groups of zircons with a good crystal form and little magnetism have been selected and dated as 959±3.6 Ma by UPb dating. This age has important implications for understanding the granitic magmatism in the Jinning movement, tectonic setting and age of regional deformations.