The paper reports a novel nano-structured Cu2O/porous carbon (PC) composite and its application as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The architecture and the electrochemical performance of the as-prepared composite are investigated through structure characterization and galvanostatic charge/discharge test. Cu2O nanoparticles are well-distributed in the pore channels owing to the nanoscale confinement effect apart from the edges of PC matrix. The composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 884.4 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles, especially an excellent rate capability of 600.8 mA h g−1 when cycled at the current density of 1000 mA g−1. The outstanding lithium storage properties may be attributed to the designed embedment structure of the composite. The nano-sized Cu2O loaded in the PC promotes the reaction of lithiation/delithiation owing to the large contact area and short lithium ion diffusion distance. Additionally, PC with highly-developed porous structure is capable of accommodating large volume expansion of Cu2O and preventing the aggregation of particles upon continuous cycling.