Anaerobic digestion of Chinese cabbage waste was investigated through a pilot-scale two-stage digester at a mesophilic temperature of 37 °C. In the acidification digester, the main product was acetic acid, with the maximum concentration of 4289 mg·L−1 on the fourth day, accounting for 50.32% of total volatile fatty acids. The oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and NH4
+-N level decreased gradually with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of acidification. In the second digestion phase, the maximum methanogenic bacterial concentration reached 9.6 × 1010 ml−1 at the organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.5–4 kg VS·m−3, with corresponding HRT of 12–16 days. Accordingly, the optimal biogas production was 0.62 m3·(kg VS)−1, with methane content of 65%–68%. ORP and NH4 +-N levels in the methanizer remained between −500 and −560 mV and 2000–4500 mg·L−1, respectively. Methanococcus and Methanosarcina served as the main methanogens in the anaerobic digester. 2015 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.