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Monoclinic Li 2 TiO 3 (β -Li 2 TiO 3) is a kind of potential candidate for anodic material of high-safety lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for its stable zero-strain layered structure; however, β -Li 2 TiO 3 has intermediate Li+ ​ion conductivity and low electronic conductivity, affecting its practical application. Herein, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires have been synthesized via a convenient low-temperature solid state method. The diffusion of Li+ ​along the ab plane of β -Li 2 TiO 3 has relatively low energy barrier, and the obtained [002]-oriented nanowires (with diameter of 50–70 ​nm) provide short and accessible Li+ ​diffusion pathways along the ab plane. In addition, the modification of carbon layers with optimal thickness (∼8 ​nm) can promote the Li+ transfer kinetics and improve the electronic conductivity. As a result, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, involving high specific capacity (243.1 mAh g−1 at 50 ​mA ​g−1), high rate capability (173.6 and 155.3 mAh g−1 at current rates of 50 and 200 ​mA ​g−1), and good cyclic stability (160.9 mAh g−1 at 50 ​mA ​g−1 after 100 cycles). Therefore, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires have the potential to be used as anodic material for high-performance LIBs. This work could provide inspiration to improve the Li-ion storage property of anodic materials by purposely tailoring the structure and crystal orientation. The modification of carbon layer with optimal thickness (∼8 ​nm) can promote the Li+ ions transfer and improve the electronic conductivity; moreover, the diffusion of Li ​+ ​ions along the ab plane of β -Li 2 TiO 3 has low energy barrier. Thus, [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires with small diameter possess excellent Li-ion storage property. [Display omitted] • [002]-oriented β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires are prepared by a low-temperature solid state method. • β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires with carbon thickness of 8 ​nm exhibit the best electrochemical properties. • β -Li 2 TiO 3 @C nanowires have good Li-ion storage property owing to carbon layer, c -axis-oriented growth, and small diameter. • This work supplies a simple, low-cost, and effective route to prepare other 1D Li x Ti y O z nanomaterials on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]