Nestlike 3D ZnO porous structures with size of 1.0-3.0 μm have been synthesized through annealing the zinc hydroxide carbonate precursor, which was obtained by a one-pot hydrothermal process with the assistance of glycine, Na(2)SO(4), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The nestlike 3D ZnO structures are built of 2D nanoflakes with the thickness of ca. 20 nm, which exhibit the nanoporous wormhole-like characteristic. The measured surface area is 36.4 m(2)g(-1) and the pore size is ca. 3-40 nm. The unique nestlike 3D ZnO porous structures provided large contacting surface area for electrons, oxygen and target gas molecules, and abundant channels for gas diffusion and mass transport. Gas sensing tests showed that the nestlike 3D ZnO porous structures exhibit excellent gas sensing performances such as high sensitivity and fast response and recovery speed, suggesting the potential applications as advanced gas sensing materials.