Abstract: The Madong structural belt in the Tarim Basin is considered one of the best-preserved Early Paleozoic fold-thrust belts in the world. Due to its complicate structures, significant controversy persists regarding the characteristics and deformation mechanisms of Middle Cambrian salt-related structures, which has constrainedultra-deep hydrocarbon exploration in the region. This study delineated the styles of salt-related structures based on 2D seismic data, determined their deformation phases and evolutionary sequence, established the response relationship between structural evolution and plate activities, discussed the deformation mechanisms, and predicted favorable sub-salt hydrocarbon targets. In the Madong structural belt, the post-salt strata predominantly developed hinterland-vergent break-thrust folds, while the sub-salt strata were dominated by basement-involved pop-up structures formed through shear folding (including flattening folding). The main deformation periods occurred at the end of the Ordovician and the Silurian, controlled by the amalgamation and collision of the Altun-Qilian Terrane and the Qaidam Block with the Tarim Plate. The Middle Cambrian gypsum-salt layer is one of the most critical driving factors for the formation of back-thrust faults in this belt. Shear folding can indirectly lead to the development of steeply dipping or vertical fractures, and the assemblage of “post-salt breakthrust folds and sub-salt pop-up structures” represents the most favorable exploration target for ultra-deep sub-salt strata.