The main properties of litter and forest floor in Tianshan mountains were determined in a location test during 1992-1995. The results showed that the movement of nutrients in Tianshan forest ecosystem had its special circumstances: (1) Forest litterfall was lower (2.1 t/hm²) and its seasonal changes belonged to the single-peak type. (2) The sequence of nutrients returned in form of litter was Ca>N>K>P. Before falling, most of N, P, K was transfered, and the transfered amount of K was the greatest However, Ca was rich in litter, and it had the greatest amount of return. (3) The nutrient reserves and water storage capacity of forest floor were higher, but the rate of decomposition of organic matter was lower. (4) The sequence of leaching loss from forest floor was K>organic C>total N>total P.