This paper presents a synthesis of the study on tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Jiaolai basin (North China), based on outcropped and drilled well log lithostratigraphic analysis, isotopic (40Ar-39Ar and SHRIMP U-Pb) dating results of the volcanic rocks, structural interpretation of seismic profiles and field analysis of fault kinematics. Lithostratigraphic analysis shows that the Jiaolai basin is an extensional basin filled with three distinct rock units: the Early Cretaceous Laiyang and Qinshan Groups and the Late Cretaceous to Paleocene Wangshi Group. Isotopic dating of the volcanic rocks from the Qingshan Group yielded ages in 120 ~100 Ma for this rock unit. Structural interpretation of seismic profiles revealed that extensional structural styles of the Jiaolai basin are confined by two deep detachment systems: one developing beneath the southern margin of the Jiaolai basin with detachment zone gently dipping south underneath the Sulu orogenic basement, the other one dipping north below the broad area of the Jiaolai basin. Fault slip vector data were collected from different rock units of the basin and were analyzed in terms of stress regimes. A best chronology of the Cretaceous to Paleocene tectonic regimes has been established with the age constrained by stratigraphy and isotopic dating data. The results show that the Cretaceous to Paleocene tectonic extension and compression alternated. The Early Cretaceous extension proceeded through two phases: the early one in NW-SE and the late one in W-E. This was followed by a NW-SE compression occurring near the end of Early Cretaceous to the earliest Late Cretaceous (about 90±5 Ma). This compression resulted in contractional deformation of the Jiaolai basin and left-slip motion of the Tan-Lu fault zone. Tectonic regime changed to N-S extensional one during Late Cretaceous to Paleocene, which was ended by a NE-SW compressional phase probably occurring near the end of Paleocene. This Cretaceous to Paleocene tectono-sedimentary evolution history of the Jiaolai basin and the Yi-Shu rift zone provides constraint on geodynamic settings of the lithosphere thinning processes underneath North China. We interpreted that the two extensional phases in Early Cretaceous were dynamically associated with either gravity collapse or lithospheric delamination of the thickened crust or lithosphere in North China and the NW-SE compression was the consequence of far-field effect produced by NW-ward subduction of the Pacific plate underneath the Asian continent. The Late Cretaceous to Paleocene extensional basins are pull-apart origin related to dextral strike slip along the NNE-striking Tan-Lu fault system developed along the eastern margin of the Asian continent and dynamically associated with far-field effect of block collision occurring in the Tibetan region.