Large amounts of conventional gas resources originated from terrestrial Lower Jurassic shale were discovered in Tarim Basin, indicating promising exploration prospects for shale gas resources, whereas limited understandings were obtained on the geological and geochemical characteristics of the Lower Jurassic shale In this study, based on cores of exploration wells and field outcrops, TOC pyrolysis, microscopic composition, organic elements, vitrinite reflectance, X-ray diffraction and methane isothermal adsorption experiment were carried out on Lower Jurassic shale in Tarim Basin. The results show that the TOC content of shale is relatively high, but the TOC content of shale in different regions is quite different. Among them, the Kuqa Depression is the highest (more than 3%), the Southwest Tarim Basin is second (more than 1%), and the East Tarim Basin is the lowest. The main types of kerogen in shale are mainly type III and type II2. The thermal evolution maturity of shale in differen