The paper discusses the distribution of Quaternary sediments, occurrence of saline minerals and phases of neotectonic movements and their manifestations in the Qaidam basin. The formation of four successive lacustrine terraces in Tertiary anticlinal zones in the western part of the basin was related to the neotectonic movements that took place 100 Ka ago, and the distribution of such terraces discloses, in a way. the evolutionary history of the Quaternary salt lakes. According to the distribution of the terraces coupled with the distribution of Quaternary sediments and features of salt deposition, four periods of Quaternary salt lake evolution in the basin may be distinguished, which correspond to four stages of salt deposition respectively.