A novel composite material of SnO2/ordered mesoporous carbon (SnO2/OMC) was prepared through a hydrolysis process. The morphology, structure and composition of the SnO2/OMC was characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (low-angle and wide-angle diffraction patterns), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA) and nitrogen-adsorption measurement. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic discharge–charge measurements were used to test the electrochemical performance of the SnO2/OMC. It has found that the SnO2/OMC composite could deliver a reversible capacity as high as 395.6mAhg−1 up to 50cycles of discharge/charge. The results demonstrated also a good rate capability. When the charge current density was increased gradually from 200 to 1000mAg−1 and then returned immediately to 200mAg−1, 75% of the initial capacity at 200mAg−1 has been recovered. Therefore, the SnO2/OMC is revealed as a promising candidate of anode material for high energy and high power lithium ion batteries (LIBs).