Multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) were reacted with zinc (Zn) in solid state reactions. Hereby, zinc oxide (ZnO) is deposited on the outermost shells of MWNTs in the forms of ultrathin films, quantum dots, or nanowires/nanorods depending on the reaction conditions. ZnO nanowires were grown on the surface of MWNTs without the presence of catalyst suggesting the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism is not applicable for the here shown growth process. The average diameter of nanowires on MWNTs prepared at 600°C is about 30 nm and the length is up to 1.5 µ, yielding aspect ratios of 7 to 50. ZnO nanorods grown on MWNTs at 800°C have diameters from 80 nm to 150 nm with lengths from 0.5 µ to 1 µ (aspect ratios of 6 to 10).