This study reported the feasibility of adsorption of heavy metals from acidic solution using chestnut inner shells (CIS), an environmentallyfriendly natural adsorbent. The adsorption characteristics of CIS for heavy metals were studied by a series of lab scale experiments. The result of adsorption test shows that CIS gives effective removal of heavy metals from acidic solution (pH 2), attaining Cd 98.9%, Pb 99.6%, Zn 98.9%, Cu 98.7% with addition of 30 g/L CIS within 1 h. Thermodynamical test shows that the adsorption capacities of CIS for four kinds of heavy metal are Cd 3.2, Pb 90.8, Zn 27.3, Cu 52.4 mg/g. A kinetic test shows that the adsorption equilibrium is attained within 1 h, and the kinetic behavior of adsorption could be described by Elovich Model. The relationship between the adsorption rate and reaction time is in adverse proportion. At the same time, the adsorption of CIS on Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn is followed by specific order, Pb2+>Cd2+>Cu2+>Zn2+. 