Spatial and temporal changes in vegetation coverage and desertification in Hulun Buir sandy land over the past 15 years were examined from MODIS NDVI remote sensing data. Desertification was found to be weakened from 2001 overall but with remarkable annual variations. Land desertification expanded from 2001 to 2007. Gradual reversal of desertification was found from 2007 to 2013, after slow recovery in vegetation coverage. Such process intensified slightly from 2013 to 2015. Annual fluctuations in precipitation were the most important driving force for desertification reversion or exacerbation. Due to climatic changes, sandy desertification in Hulun Buir sandy land is likely to be exacerbated in the next few decades.