China has committed to neutralize its carbon emissions in 2060, which has profound effects on future economic growth mode, energy transition and emission pathways. On this basis, we develop an integrated assessment model by enriching the energy technology details, and attempt to assess the energy technological pathways of attaining the carbon-neutral goal and its economic feasibility. We find that the non-fossil energy development goal in 2030 is greatly consistent with the carbon neutrality goal, while the latter do not restrictively require carbon peaking in 2030. Further, carbon pricing alone or combined with subsidies for alternatives are not enough to fill the gap of carbon emissions to neutrality, while carbon pricing combined with subsidy for negative emission technologies provides a feasible policy option. In this circumstance, PV solar and wind power dominate the energy market, jointly contributing 53% to the total primary energy consumption; followed by hydro power and biomass with carbon capture and storage, which contribute 13.7% and 12.5%, respectively. This study also uncovers a hook-shaped path of policy cost, with the cumulative economic cost less than 1.9%, and China’s could gain the economic growth dividend associated with carbon neutrality before 2050.