The contents of nitrogen (N),phosphorus (P) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in the leaves and branches of Hippophae rhamnoides L. were measured. These H.rhamnoides were planted along Miyaluo and Chuanzhusi,with altitudes ranging between 2 450-3 080 m and 2 870-3 550 m,respectively. The results showed that contents of N,P,total soluble sugar (TSS),starch and total NSC in leaves and branchlets varied nonlinearly with elevation in both regions. Changes in leaf N content along elevation was consistent with changes in leaf NSC conten in Miyaluo,while no significant correlation was detected for H.rhamnoides from Chuanzhusi. NSC content was generally higher in H.rhamnoides from Chuanzhusi than that from Miyaluo,especially with higher TSS content in branchlets. This was beneficial to cope with low temperature and drought environment,which also might be attributed to carbon investment constraint under unfavorable condition. For H.rhamnoides planted in elevation above 3 000 m in Chuanzhusi,soil N supply,photosynthesis and carbohydrate in leaves were adequate,though the transport and transformation of photosynthetic products to structural material could be restricted by low temperature,thus global warming is likely to help the expand and distribution of H.rhamnoides.