It is the most important work for the exploration and development of continental coal measures to recognize the characteristics of reservoir and select high quality layers. This paper uses TOC, vitrinite reflectance, rockeval, XRD, SEM, high pressure mercury, lowtemperature nitrogen adsorption test, to show the qualitative and quantitative characterization of Datong Formation continental shale reservoir, and the pore structure characteristics and main controlling factors have been discussed.The results show that: the shale of Datong Formation has a great thickness, medium maturity, with hydrocarbon potential, and can be divided into 4 layers according to lithology. The mirconano pore can be divided into “double peak type”, “single peak type” and “weak peak type”, pore specific surface area was positively correlated with TOC, and the surface area has a good correlation with the content of clay minerals, the macropore and microporeare mainly provided by brittle minerals and clay mineralsrespectively. The pore of continental shale is mainly affected by the sedimentary diagenesis and tectonic transformation, as distributary channel from the bottom of clay mineral content increased, sediment particles become fine, and the shale porosity decreases gradually. Deep lake facies from bottom clay minerals content decreased, detrital mineral particles increased, grain coarsening, and the porosity is increased.The diagenesis of hydrocarbon generation of organic matter make a contribution to shale pore, while the compaction which reduces the porosity. The reconstruction has both advantages and disadvantages to the shale gas seepage and dissipation.