Background One purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of conducting epidemiological survey on suicidal thoughts and behaviors (hereafter “suicidal thoughts/behaviors”; i.e., any suicidal ideation, serious ideation, planning, and attempts) among older adults in rural China. Another purpose was to investigate among older people in rural China the prevalence of suicidal thoughts/behaviors, as well as their sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Methods A randomly selected sample of 263 subjects, 50 years or older, was recruited in a remote rural area of Southwestern China (Mianyang Region, Sichuan Province) and interviewed using structured instruments. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Results There was no refusal among approached subjects, and subjects were willing to answer questions on suicidal thoughts/behaviors. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, serious ideation, planning, and attempt was 28.9% (23.4%–34.4%), 19.7% (14.9%–24.6%), 11.4% (7.5%–15.3%), and 5.3% (2.6%–8.1%), respectively. The corresponding 12‐month prevalence was 8.8% (5.3%–12.2%), 5.3% (2.6%–8.1%), 2.7% (0.7%–4.6%), and 0%, respectively. The 2‐week prevalence was 3.4% (1.2%–5.6%), 2.3% (0.5%–4.1%), 2.3% (0.5%–4.1%), and 0%, respectively. Correlates of suicidal thoughts/behaviors of this group are similar to findings from other community studies, such as female gender, unmarried status, major medical conditions, insomnia, financial difficulties and lower education, depressive symptoms, recent stressful life events, greater life dissatisfaction. Conclusions Our findings suggest that larger scale epidemiological survey of suicidal thoughts/behaviors on older adults in rural China would be feasible. Suicidal thoughts/behaviors are common among older people in rural China, as seen in this preliminary study, which points to the need for further larger scale investigations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.