•Magnetofluorescent GdN@CQDs/GP nanoparticles are synthesized by a chemical crosslinking reactions.•The drug delivery system of GdN@CQDs/GP-DOX are triggered by NIR light and pH dual-stimuli.•The GdN@CQDs/GP-DOX can effectively eliminate tumors through chemo-photothermal synergistic therapeutic effect. Carbon dots could be extended in biological applications for drug delivery and photothermal therapeutics due to their ability to improving therapeutic effect and reducing side effects. Here, we use doxorubicin (DOX) as the model drug, the amino and carboxyl coated magnetofluorescent carbon quantum dots (GdN@CQDs) as a carrier, Genipin (GP) as cross-linking agent to design and prepare a multifunctional drug delivery system triggered by near-infrared (NIR) light and pH dual-stimuli. The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles has been examined by MTT assay. The fluorescent GdN@CQDs/GP serves as both a controllable drug release gatekeeper and a fluorescent probe for the visualization of the drug delivery process. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that this platform can deliver anti-cancer drugs to cells, releasing them intracellular upon NIR irradiation, and effectively eliminate tumors through chemo-photothermal synergistic therapeutic effect.