Zircon is a highly stable mineral that, once formed, will retain information about the source region at the time of formation. Even if it is affected by partial melting or metamorphism again, the information carried by the source region is not easy to lose all, and the information of geological changes can be recorded again. Therefore, detrital zircon plays an important role in the study of sedimentary stratigraphic chronology, sediment sources and tectonic properties of source regions. Its practical practice can not only enrich its geochronology theory, but also have important significance for reshaping basin—mountain pattern and paleogeographic evolution. The existing studies of Qiongzhusi Formation in the margin of Kangdian ancient land mainly carried out the lithofacies paleogeography analysis from the traditional sedimentological perspective, but the detrital zircon chronology and in- situ trace element analysis have not yet been carried out.Methods: Based on the study of palaeogeography, the study of detritonal zircon chronology and trace elements of Qiongzhusi Formation in Zhaotong area of northeast Yunnan Province was carried out for the first time. Results:The results show that the latest age of the detrital zircons in the Qiongzhusi Formation is 521 Ma, which is consistent with the stratigraphic table in China, representing the sedimentary age at the bottom of the Qiongzhusi Formation and the maximum Paleozoic invasion time in southern China. The detrital zircon ages show three age peaks: 2462—2511 Ma, 1700—2061 Ma and 550—1200 Ma, which are closely related to the convergence and cracking of the Kenorland, Columbia and Rodinia paleolands in the Kangdian area. Detrital zircons in the Qiongzhusi Formation are rich in HREE, with positive Ce and negative Eu anomalies and Th/U ratios greater than 0.4, indicating the characteristics of magmatic zircons.Conclusions:The detrital zircons from the Qiongzhusi Formation were mainly derived from the Greenwell orogeny and the Rodinia paleocontinent. The Dengying Formation is the latest horizon in the source area of the Qiongzhusi Formation, but the lithology is dolomite, which cannot provide detrital zircon, and the upper Meishucun Formation is missing. The detrital zircons in Qionhzhusi Formation are mainly derived from granites and mafic rocks, as well as potassium—magnesium lamprophyre and syenite, reflecting the deep influence of S- type granite.