Feasibility of preparing mesoporous activated carbons from bamboo solid waste was investigated. The effects of activation conditions, e.g. CO2 flow-rate, activation temperature and retention time, on the characteristics of the activated carbons, i.e. density, porosity, BET surface area, pore size distribution, and surface chemistry were studied. The experimental results showed that it was feasible to prepare mesoporous activated carbon from bamboo solid waste, and to apply for Chinese herb (e.g. Puerarin) separation and purification.