Tuberous sclerosis complex is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in either of TSC1 and TSC2 genes. Tuberous sclerosis complex presents diverse clinical characteristics, and either of TSC1 and TSC2 genes shows a wide range of mutations in their coding regions. However, the correlation between genotype and phenotype is yet unknown. We describe the clinical characteristics of a Chinese family with TSC1 gene mutation and present a literature review of Chinese patients with tuberous sclerosis complex gene mutation reported since 2004. This is the first report of TSC1 R509X mutation in a Chinese family, which might deepen our insight into the clinical and molecular pathogenesis of tuberous sclerosis complex.