In this paper, the authors present new and review previously published carbonate δ¹³C data of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in South China. The combined datasets show that both δ¹³C values and their variations in four sedimentary facies are significantly different, and pronounced δ¹³C shifts occur more frequently in shallow-water than in deep-water sections, which is here interpreted as being closely related to the stepwise evolution of the Ediacaran Doushantuo ocean of South China. All δ¹³C values from different sedimentary facies decrease relative to those in the second stage, resulting in the relatively less differentiated δ¹³C values between shallow- and deep-water environments.