<p>Zircon U-Pb ages, major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Hf isotope data of the diabase in the Zhangjiakou District were studied to investigate its derivation and tectonic implications. Zircon U-Pb ages indicate that the diabase was emplaced at ∼130 Ma or younger, and captured zircons cluster at ∼147, ∼240, ∼430 and ∼465 Ma. The diabase is characterized by minor variations in SiO₂ (49.35 wt.%–52.10 wt.%), TiO₂ (1.65 wt.%–1.77 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (17.00 wt.%–18.26 wt.%), MgO (4.28 wt.%–4.93 wt.%), CaO (6.69 wt.%–7.90 wt.%) and Mg^# (48–54). It has no significant Eu anomaly and displays enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba and Sr) and depletion in high field strength elements (Nb, Ta, P and Ti). The diabase exhibits homogeneous Sr ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.706 06–0.707 01) and Nd (<i>ε</i>_Nd(<i>t</i>) = −13.6 to −13.2) isotopic compositions. These features suggest that the parental magma was derived from partial melting of the ancient lower crust, relating to mantle upwelling that was triggered by the stagnant slabs or lithospheric detachment associated with the westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. The Early Paleozoic inherited igneous zircons in the diabase suggest that the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) likely underwent southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.</p>