Abstract: Based on kinematic analysis and measurements of reverse and wrench faults，stress field analysis is undertaken by using faultslip datas from the northern Upper Yangtze region. The fault overprinting and superposed folds demonstrate that three phases of stress fields from the NWSE compression，nearly EW compression to NESW compression occurred in the region. Analyses of geological phenomena suggest that the first phase of compression is responsible for the western Hubei and Hunan chevron synclinebox anticline belt of latest Late Jurassic to earliest Early Cretaceous，the second one is responsible for the eastern Sichuan chevron anticline-box syncline belt of latest Early Cretaceous，and the third one is responsible for the southern Daba arcuate fold belt of latest Early Cretaceous to earliest Late Cretaceous. All of these indicate that the fold belts in the northern Upper Yangtze region experienced the evolution from the western Hubei and Hunan fold belt，the eastern Sichuan fold belt to the southern Daba arcuate fold belt. 