The results of this study indicate that PS significantly decreases the WBSF of beef muscle at 1 d and 7 d postmortem; the decrement of WBSF between AS and PS in LD was 1.04 kg and 1.02 kg respectively. The WBSF tenderness of PS at 7 d postmortem was similar with that of AS at 14 d. Water holding capacity was improved while sarcomere length of LD was increased significantly by PS during aging, but suspension methods had no effect on MFI, cooking losses, meat color or pH of LD muscle during aging. In addition, aging time has a significant effect on pH, meat color, WBSF, and MFI of LD steaks. However, aging time had no effect on sarcomere length and water holding capacity. In conclusion, pelvic suspension appears to be a valuable method to more rapidly (within 7 days) improve beef tenderness and decrease aging time of Chinese fattened cattle, compared to extended (14–21 d) cold-storage aging.