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To constrain the closure time of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and better understand the movement processes of different terranes in the Northern Xinjiang region, we present a combined geochronologic and paleomagnetic study of Carboniferous andesite and limestones from the Yamansu and Dikaner Formations in the Aqishan–Yamansu Belt (AYB). Zircon U Pb dating of the Dikaner Formation andesite yielded an age of 313.2 ± 2.0 Ma, and the zircon ε Hf (t) values ranged from −15.6 to 16.3. Stepwise thermal demagnetization successfully isolated a lower temperature component (LTC) and a stable higher temperature component (HTC) from 18 limestone beds. The LTC represents a viscous remanent magnetization of the present geomagnetic field. In comparison, the HTC is interpreted to represent Late Carboniferous magnetization, generating two paleopoles at 84.6°N, 38.3°E (A 95 = 11.6°) for ~313 Ma and 77.2°N, 301.5°E (A 95 = 5.5°) for 321–318 Ma. These results show that the AYB moved northward from 30.5 ± 6.5°N to 44.8 ± 8.3°N during the interval between 321–318 Ma and ~ 313 Ma. Compared to other published coeval paleomagnetic poles from surrounding blocks, it can be concluded that the western Paleo-Asian Ocean (between Tarim and Siberia) had been closed since the Late Carboniferous. In contrast, the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean (between Siberia and Dunhuang-Alxa-NCB) was still open during this time. Besides, the counterclockwise rotations of AYB with respect to Siberia-Mongolia-Tuva and Tarim are estimated to be 88.5° ± 14.1° and 46.5° ± 13.4° since ~313 Ma respectively. Combined with other geological evidence, we propose that Yili-Junggar-Turpan-Hami-AYB had to move eastward to the still open eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean to accommodate the compressive tectonic stress field during the Late Carboniferous, and a Late Carboniferous tectono-paleogeography of the Paleo-Asian Ocean has been reconstructed. • New reliable C 2 paleomagnetic poles of the Aqishan–Yamansu belt (AYB) were obtained. • The AYB moved northward from 30.5 ± 6.5°N to 44.8 ± 8.3°N between 321–318 Ma to ~313 Ma. • The western Paleo-Asian ocean (between Tarim and Siberia) had been closed since C 2. • The CCW rotations of AYB were identified with respect to Siberia and Tarim since C 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]