The thermal regimes in sedimentary basins in the continental area of China are varied and reflect differences in geological settings. As a result of these variable thermal regimes, the history of hydrocarbon generation in each basin is also different. An east-west profile of the thermal threshold across the continental basins of China, like the Liaohe Basin, the North China Basin, the Ordos Basin, the Qaidam Basin and the Tarim Basin, was constructed using large numbers of heat flow measurements, temperature data and rock thermophysical parameters. Isotherms, surface heat flow,mantle heat flow and Moho temperature beneath the basins are shown in the profile, which illustrates changes in some thermal characteristics between basins in east China and those in west China. Thermal evolution histories in basins were reconstructed using Easy%Ro method, apatite fission track annealing and other paleothermometers. Typical hydrocarbon generation histories of the primary source rocks were modeled by referring to the thermal evolution data. Thermal stages controlled source rocks maturation and oil and gas generation, and influenced the type of hydrocarbon (oil and gas)production in the basins.