This paper examines the Cenozoic strata of the northern Qaidam Basin, focusing on the Ebo Liang and Honggouzi sections. Through sedimentary basin analysis, microscopic identification, clastic component projection, and vertical distribution assessment of four sets of continuously deposited Cenozoic strata in these sections, provenance analysis was performed to identify source areas, transition events, stratigraphic ages, and periods of tectonic activity. The findings are as follows: Microscopic examination shows that quartz is mainly monocrystalline with some polycrystalline varieties; feldspar consists primarily of plagioclase and microplagioclase. Cuttings predominantly originate from metamorphic rocks (e.g., quartzite), along with some sedimentary rock cuttings and a minor contribution from magmatic sources. Analysis reveals three significant change periods: approximately 20.4 Ma–17 Ma, 14.9 Ma–12.5 Ma, and 9.5 Ma–8.3 Ma—correlating with abundant sediments and source supply in the study area. These changes reflect responses to tectonic events in the surrounding Altun orogenic belt. Notably, the identified periods around 20.4 Ma–17 Ma and 9.5 Ma–8.3 Ma provide strong evidence for two uplift events in the Altun Mountains at approximately 20 Ma and 8 Ma respectively.