Reconstructing the thermal history using paleothermal indicators requires accurate time- temperature constraints. These constraints limit the accuracy of the reconstructed thermal histories. In fold- and- thrust belts, differential horizontal slip occurs simultaneously with uplift and cooling of strata, leading to variations in the uplift process. However, the thermal history, which revealed the cooling processes of the samples, cannot consider the impact of flexural slip information, which has a significant effect on the structural analysis of a region with a long lateral slip distance. Establishing appropriate time constraints for thermal history reconstruction remains a key challenge in low- temperature thermochronology research, particularly for accurately revealing the tectonothermal evolution of fold- and- thrust belts. This study addresses this challenge by introducing a new thermo- kinematic approach to constrain tectonothermal evolution of the eastern Sichuan fold- and- thrust belt, South China.This approach integrates analog modeling, balanced reconstruction, and various paleothermal indicators,including low- temperature thermochronology and organic matter maturity data. By combining these techniques, we achieve a “point- to- surface” fusion, quantitatively coupling overall and local analyses.This allows for a detailed dissection of the onset, pattern, rate, stage, and magnitude of uplift and exhumation during the thrusting process.These findings provide valuable insights into the restoration of tectonothermal evolution within the fold- and- thrust belt.