HZSM-5@silicalite-1 catalysts were prepared by the hydrothermal method, and the structure, morphology, acidity and pore texture of core-shell catalysts were studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, NH3-TPD, Py-IR and N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms in detail. Their catalytic performances were tested in the alkylation reaction of toluene with methanol. The results showed that a coating layer was formed in the form of silicalite-1 on HZSM-5. NH3-TPD measurements indicated that HZSM-5@silicalite-1 contained less strong acid sites but more weak acid sites than the parent HZSM-5. The selectivity of p-xylene for toluene alkylation was approximately linear with the percentage of weak acid in total acid. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the conversion of toluene was 34.15%, and the selectivity of p-xylene was 96.77%. Graphic