Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with diverse structures, adjustable pore sizes, and high surface areas have exhibited awesome potential in many fields. Here we report a simple carbonization strategy to obtain a series of core-shell structured Co/Co3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated into nitrogen-doped carbon shells from cobalt-based metal-organic framework precursors at different carbonization temperatures. When it is applied as an anodes for lithium ion batteries, the Co/Co3O4@N-C-700 electrode delivers a maximum initial discharge capacity of 1535 mAh g(-1), the highest reversible capacity (903 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1) after 100 cycles), and the best rate performance (i.e., 774 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 1.0 A g(-1) after 100 cycles) in comparison with those of Co/Co3O4@N-C-600 and Co/Co3O4@N-C-800 electrodes. The excellent electrochemical performance could be mainly attributed to the unique core-shell structure, abundant graphited carbon, and the well-dispersed Co/Co3O4 nanoparticles which can promote the specific capacity through conversion reactions.