An easily separation composite, magnetic chitosan@bismuth tungstate coated by silver (MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6), was successfully synthesized by the simple hydrothermal method. Moreover, the MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6 demonstrated excellent adsorption/photocatalytic removal of Cu(II) in aqueous solution. Adsorption played a leading role in the synergistic reaction. The catalysts were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects on adsorption of Cu(II) were investigated, which included illumination, pH, and initial concentration. The experimental results showed that the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) (181.8 mg/g) was achieved under simulated solar light irradiation with the optimal pH value of 6.0, indicating that illumination could enhance the adsorption of Cu(II) by MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6. Meanwhile, the composite exhibited desirable adsorption ability of Cu(II) after 5 cycles. The copper ion adsorption fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model and its isotherm followed Freundlich model. Display omitted •A magnetic composites were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, and showed easier separation from water.•In MCTS, the active group –COOH and –OH could complex with Cu(Ⅱ), which could effectively remove Cu(Ⅱ).•The absorbent, MCTS, and the photocatalyst, Ag/Bi2WO6, were combined to improve the adsorption capacity.•MCTS-Ag/Bi2WO6 showed high theoretical adsorption capacity of 181.8 mg/g.