The invention provides a preparation method and an application of a yolk-shell structured GC (graphitized carbon)-encapsulated transition metal material. The preparation method comprises the followingsteps: preparation of a lignin-metal complex: surface functional groups of lignin are modified with a surface modification method, modified aminated lignin with amino groups is obtained, then the modified aminated lignin is subjected to coordination with transition metal with a hydrothermal method, and the lignin-metal complex is obtained; carbonization: the lignin-metal complex is subjected to step-by-step carbonization, chain-like carbon and aromatic carbon are controlled for step-by-step carbonization, then washing and drying are performed, and the yolk-shell structured GC-encapsulated transition metal material is obtained. Catalytic performance of the prepared yolk-shell structured GC-encapsulated transition metal material is improved.