The clinical characteristics of 38 local Chinese ankylosing spondylitis patients were studied by interview, clinical examination and review of casenotes. The sex ratio was 3.2:1 in favour of males. The average duration from onset of symptoms till diagnosis of disease was 7.25 years. Peripheral joint involvement occurred in 71% of the patients. Extra-articular complications were uncommon; only three patients had a history of uveitis and one patient had biopsy proven IgA nephropathy. 26.3% of patients had significant disability due to the disease. Early diagnosis of the disease should be made as it may improve the prognosis of the patients.