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In this paper, the geochemical signatures were employed to investigate factor controlling on groundwater geochemical evolution in the Shule River basin in northwestern China, where groundwater extensive extraction occurs for agriculture and domestic supply. The results show that the TDS concentrations of groundwater gradually increases from the Qilian Mountains front to the Guazhou basin. Springs in the mountain front of the Qilian Mountains, the Yumen-Tashi groundwater, and the Guazhou groundwater were Ca-HCO3, Ca-Mg-HCO3-SO4 and Na-Mg-SO4-Cl types, respectively. Geochemical evolution in groundwater was possibly due to a combination of mineral dissolution, mixing processes and evapotranspiration along groundwater flow paths，but the mineral dissolution was the main cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]