The continental crustal growth of the North China Craton has been extensively studied. However, there has been limited discussions regarding the crustal growth of the Yanshan-Liaoning Rift Basin, which is covered by thick sediments. In this study, we focuse on sedimentary rocks of the Changcheng Group overling the Yanliao intracontinental rift and investigate scientific issues such as sedimentary age, provenance of detrital zircons and crustal growth events by analyzing the age spectrum and Lu-Hf isotope data of detrital zircons of the sediments within the Changcheng Group of the Yanliao intracontinental rift. U-Pb isotopic ages constrain the timing of initiation of the Yanliao rift as ca. 1680 Ma. The zircon U-Pb data show two major age populations at 2.7–2.5 Ga and 2.2–1.9 Ga, with high and positive eHf(t) values of + 0.1 to + 34.6. By comparing the U-Pb dating, Lu-Hf isotope εHf(t) and TDM2 model age data of detrital zircons from the Changcheng Group with those of the crystalline basement in the North China Craton, it can be inferred that the sedimentary source of the Changcheng Sediments in the Yanliao intracontinental rift originated from the underlying basement of the Yanliao intracontinental rift. Based on the comprehensive analysis of detrital zircon U-Pb dating, εHf(t) values, and TDM2 model age data, it is suggested that the North China Craton experienced three peaks in its Mesoproterozoic pre-crustal growth history, which occurred at approximately 2.7–2.5 Ga, 2.2–1.9 Ga and 1.7–1.6 Ga.