The hydrothermal process is efficient in lignocellulosic conversion and is beneficial to potential bioethanol production. In batch- and flow-type processes, concurrent dissolution and hydrolysis of lignocellulose result in product loss and inhibitory intermediates. Therefore, multi-level hydrothermal conversion of corn stalks was implemented with a semi-flow system to provide different residence times to undissolved compounds and facilitate dissolution or hydrolysis at respective optimal conditions. First-stage dissolution dissolved amorphous hemicellulose and lignin at 195-200 degrees C. Xylan, acid soluble lignin, and part of Klason lignin were dissolved without affecting glucan. In second-stage dissolution, the crystallinity of the undissolved materials suddenly decreased at 245-250 degrees C. The cellulose dissolution ratio was higher than 75%. Soluble sugars were obtained after the hydrolysis of dissolved cellulose at 280 degrees C. The results provide significant information on the multi-level hydrothermal process and its potential applications for recovering valuable chemicals from lignocellulosic waste. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.