Litter decomposition rates of three shrub species (Artemisia halodendron, Salix gordejevii, and Caragana microphylla) in Horqin Sandy Land were investigated. Collected litter was put in nylon bag and then was put on different kinds of sand dunes or was buried deep down in 10 cm, with sampling and weighing it every month. The results showed the decomposition rate of litter put on the fixed sand dunes was higher than the decomposition rate of litter put on the mobile sand dune from May to August, and the situation was just the reverse in winter. The decomposition rate of litter buried in the sand dunes was higher than the decomposition rate of litter put on the sand dune. Litter decomposition rates of Artemisia halodendron was higher than that of the other two shrub species, for example, decomposition rates of litter of Artemisia halodendron put on the fixed sand dunes was 53.6% after one year, while that of Caragana microphylla and Salix gordejevii was 28.5% and 21% respectively. Impact of precipitation on litter decomposition rates was more significant than that of ground temperature.