The drainage network patterns have the potential to sensitively record the process of lateral growth of active structures. The active growth of Kuqa fold and thrust belt in frontal zones of South Tianshan orogenic belt is a prominent topographic feature, extending ~300km in E-W direction. The qualitative analysis of remote sensing data, satellite imagery and digital topography can put insight into the growth, lateral propagation, and interaction of individual fold segments in Kuqa foreland fold and thrust belt. We identify five drainage network indicators of lateral propagation of fold, which are asymmetrical drainage patterns, the diversion and capture of drainage encountering the fault or hogback, formation of wind gaps and the decrease of the height of wind gaps along one direction of the fold ridge, asymmetrical fluvial fan body, and total distinction of drainage network patterns on the two sides of transverse river. The linkage of folds, which is the result of lateral propagation of folds, forms the more spectacular Qiulitage fold belt.