Aim　to　solve　the　problem　of　structure　design　about　echo　state　network,　a　new　type　of　ESN　with　hierarchical　modular　structure　(HMESN)　is　proposed　in　this　paper.　The　hierarchical　connections　are　introduced　into　reservoir　of　HMESN,　and　each　level　of　neurons　are　modular　structure.　The　structure　of　HMESN　is　closer　to　the　hierarchical　modular　topology　characteristics　of　brain　networks,　which　effectively　enhances　the　dynamics　of　internal　neurons.　Finally,　the　HMESN　is　used　for　the　Mackey-Glass　time　series　prediction　and　the　sewage　treatment　modeling.　Experimental　results　and　the　performance　comparison　demonstrate　that　the　prediction　accuracy　of　the　proposed　HMESN　is　better　than　those　of　ESN.　©　2015　Technical　Committee　on　Control　Theory,　Chinese　Association　of　Automation.