The calling for transforming textbook development into evidence-based field have been increasingly concerned, while the method and path of how to develop evidence-based textbook still remain. New Century Mathematics (NCM) as one of the textbooks with largest market share and influence, its’ development history has witnessed the trajectory of mathematics curriculum reform in China in the last 40 years. This study aimed to retrospect the process of NCM textbook development in primary grades from an evidence-based perspective. Historical research design was employed to explore in what way and how does NCM get to evidence-based textbook development. Qualitative research methodology of the semi-structure interview, focus group interviews, and documentary research have been applied to collect data. The result indicated that in the process of getting to evidence-based textbook development, there are three key features should be mentioned, including Situation + question string establishes the textbook style; Form a complete chain of evidence from fragmented to systematic; Achieving learning-centeredness with the Five Unifications. There were six steps which contained several rounds of data collection. They are preliminary practical investigation, fundamental research, systematic revision, learning and teaching trail, review and revision, and typography and submission for validation. It manifests how does NCM carry out evidence-based textbook. By drawing on the retrospection of development of NCM textbook, the study provides a critical analysis of contemporary methods and issues for mathematics textbook development in China, and puts forwards evidence-based paradigm of textbook development which may provide an inspiration for the whole mathematics textbook research field.