Objective To translate and revise the Kihon Checklist (KCL） into a Chinese version, and to assess its reliability and vali-dity. Methods Standard forward-backward translation techniques, cross-cultural adaptation and pilot test were used in the translation of the KCL according to the Brislin translation model.Then 458 elderly residents from 6 communities of Taiyuan were recruited and investigated with the Chinese version KCL by convenient sampling method.Its reliability and validity were assessed. Results The Chinese version KCL enjoyed a Cronbach′s α coefficient of 0.882 for the overall scale, and 0.733-0.856 for the domains.The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.944 for the overall scale, and 0.902-0.979 for the domains.The content validity index was 0.989 for the overall scale, and 0.857-1.000 for the items.Through exploratory factor analysis, 7 domains were extracted and enjoyed a cumulative variance of 69.146%.Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit after model revision. Conclusion The Chinese version KCL has satisfactory reliability and validity, and can be used as a screening tool for the elderly in the community.