This study investigates the Weihe basin by collecting and synthesising new geothermal data, analysing test samples, deep structure structural characteristics, geothermal field characteristics, thermal reservoir characteristics, and geothermal resources. Based on the investigations the following was achieved (i) a map of the relationship between the thermal conductivity and depth of different lithological rocks in the basin; (ii) establishment of the variation law of the geothermal field in the basin and determination of the controlling factors of the geothermal field; (iii) a proposal for the formation model of the geothermal field in the Weihe basin; (iv) evaluation of the favorable areas for geothermal resources in the basin, thus providing theoretical basis for the subsequent development and utilization of the basin. The study shows that the geothermal gradient in the Weihe basin is between 2. 34 and 5. 85 ℃/100 m, the average geothermal gradient is 3. 50 ℃/100 m, and the representative terrestrial heat flow is 68. 33 mW/m2. The geothermal gradient and formation temperature at different depths has the characteristics of high in the east and low in the west, and high in the south and low in the north. The thermal conductivity gradually increases with increasing depth and is mainly controlled by enhanced compaction. At the same depth the thermal conductivity of mudstone is the lowest, sandstone is the middle and dolomite is the highest. The Weihe basin is primarily a layered geothermal field in which the geothermal energy is transmitted by heat conduction and heat convection, but mainly by heat conduction. The basin is rich in geothermal resources, and the thermal reservoirs can be divided into three types: ① the Cenozoic sandstone pore type; ② the Lower Paleozoic carbonate karst type; and ③ the fault type. The favorable areas of geothermal resources in Weihe basin are mainly distributed in the Xi’an depression and the Gushi depression. The distribution of geothermal field is closely related to the deep background of the thinning of the thickness of the upper uplift lithosphere on the Moho surface and the asthenosphere, and is mainly controlled by geothermal conduction and thermal convection of deep and large faults. It is therefore a result of multiple factors such as deep lithospheric structure, basin structure, basement lithology, and reservoir- cap combination. Finally, combined with the current situation and existing problems of geothermal resources development and utilization in the Weihe basin, some suggestions on geothermal resources development and utilization are proposed.