In this work, the flow characteristics of heavy crude oil were investigated by using a rheometer and a lab scale flow loop, respectively. In the experiments of rheometer, there is an approximate linear relationship between the yield stress and the area of thixotropic loop independent to the system temperature and crude oil types. A comparison between the experimental data of yield stress versus start-up rate obtained in the pipe start-up flow with those measured in the rheometer reveals that the transport characteristics of heavy crude oil can be predicted well by the rheological measurements.