Abstract: This article introduces the present situation and developing trend of the study on Cretaceous continental red beds in China, especially its significance to Cretaceous paleoclimate, as well as the theory of temperature measurement by oxygen isotope. Two carriers are likely to be used in paleotemperature reconstruction:carbonate and iron (Ⅲ) oxides. The reconstruction of paleotemperature is significant to the understanding of continental paleoclimate, formation principle of continental red beds, major geological events and "greenhouse" climates.