This study provided a detailed observation on hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of Chinese fan palm. The heating value and chemical exergy was calculated. As the reaction severity increased, both heating value (18.84-27.61 MJ/kg) and chemical exergy (21.07-29.06 MJ/kg) had increase trend. The effect of temperature on HTC process was more significant than residence time. Due to the dehydration and decarboxylation, the O/C and H/C atomic ratios decreased gradually. However, the N/C ratio was not linear change. When the temperature was 240 degrees C, and reaction time was above 60 min, the fuel properties of hydrochar were close to lignite. The water uptake rate (7.22-3.59%) also had very decreased trend. The SEM and XRD analysis showed the surface morphology of hydrochar treated at 240 degrees C much differed from that of raw sample, the structure is partially destructed. Combustion characteristics of CFP and hydrochar was detected, the 180-60 had optimal combustion characteristics.