Two periods of magma activities, i.e. 106–112 Ma shoshonitic eruption and 82 Ma trachytic intrusion, are recognized at the intersection of the Altyn Tagh fault and the northern marginal fault of the Qilian terrane, northeast of the Tibetan Plateau, which were previously considered to be Quaternary magma activities. The two rock-types have significant differences in mineral assemblage and chemical composition, and formed during two different pulses of magma activity. The Cretaceous magma activities and deformation in or near the Altyn Tagh fault zone suggest a possibly tectonic reactivation after the intense activity of the fault during Indusinian.