Based on structural geometries, kinematic observations, and sand-box simulation results, the new interpretation explains that the Bachu fold belt in the Tarim Basin is composed of detachment folds flanked by various-scale kink bands primarily unassociated with faulting. The Bachu antiform belt is characterized by the detachment fold. The detachment fold crests are bounded by kink bands, which are narrow zones of angularly folded strata. The sandbox models for tectonic simulate modeling regenerates kink-band development and evolution: wide-gentle detachment folding → tight detachment folding → fold pop-up → fault adjusting. The analog results strongly support that the kink-band is one of the structure types to form the Bachu fold zone.