To analyze the distribution pattern of thorny shrubs and its impact factors, 460 sample sites were collected in mountains of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Results showed that about 60% of sample sites had thorny shrubs, which were mainly the shrub community dominated by Vitex negundo var. heterophylla. In a small number of sample sites, thorny shrubs even became the dominant species. Twenty-four thorny shrub species were mainly from the families Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae and Leguminosae. The most common three species (Ziziphus jujuba, Rhamnus parvifolia and Caragana rosea) are mainly distributed on the gentle sunny and half-sunny slopes in the hilly area with elevation lower than 600 m a.s.l.. Quantitative analysis also showed that light condition and drought were limiting factors for growth of thorny shrubs (especially Ziziphus jujuba). Affected by climate, topography, and community factors together, thorny shrubs can be distributed under different habitats in mountains of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.