Some properties of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) were tested. The basic performance of recycled concrete with or without considering the high water absorption of RCA was studies. The results indicate that properties of RCA are different from that of natural coarse aggtegate (NCA), mainly characterized as low density, high water absorption and crush index as well as low soundness. The slump and compressive strength of concrete with recycled aggregate are lower than that of concrete with natural aggregate when high water absorption of RCA is not considered. However, when high water absorption is considered, the compressive strength decreases further, while the slump can be similar to that of concrete with natural aggregate.