The species was first described by Wei Fan Chiu as Boletus sinicus in 1948,[2] and transferred to the genus Tylopilus in 1979 by Fanglan Tai.

[4] The fruit bodies of R. sinicus` have a brown, pulvinate (cushion-shaped) cap measuring 9–11 cm (3.5–4.3 in) in diameter that is covered with fibrous scales.

The tubes on the cap underside are up to 4 mm (0.16 in) long, and stain blue when cut or injured.

The flesh is initially white to yellowish, but stains blue with injury.

[2] Rubroboletus sinicus (along with Lanmaoa asiatica) has been suggested as a possible identification of the blue staining bolete mushrooms found in Yunnan province known as 见手青 (jianshouqing) or "Xiao Ren Ren mushrooms", which have been reported to produce psychedelic effects especially when undercooked, and have been theorised to contain psilocin or psilocybin.