A survey on dustfall was conducted from April 2001 to March 2002. The dustfall samples were differentially collected from dust source areas (Shapotou and Naiman) and dust deposition area (Guxian) in northern China. Systematic analysis was done from aspects of monthly dustfall amount, dustfall grain size distribution, and element composition. The common characteristics of dustfall in northern China are as follows: Dustfall in each site was generated mainly from local soil surface; Dustfall amount was the most in spring, second in summer, and third in autumn; Remote source contributed more sand in winter half year than it did in summer half year. The regional differences are listed below. Human activities had more contribution to dustfall in Naiman and Guxian, and the contribution of remote sources to dustfall was the highest in Guxian, second in Naiman, and the lowest in Shapotou; The content of coarse particles was the largest in Shapotou, second in Naiman, and the smallest in Guxian; Influenced jointly by wind intensity, land cover of source areas and distance from source area, etc., the regional differences in seasonal variation of grain size composition were obvious.