Abstract: Well-crystalline CeO₂ nanowires were prepared via a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. Reaction temperature and reaction time were changed for the determination of optimal synthesis parameters. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results show that single crystal CeO₂ nanowires with high yield and good uniformity can be obtained hydrothermally at 180℃ for 12 h with the aid of 2.0 g surfactant (polyvinyl pyrrolidone, PVP). The role of PVP was then discussed and a possible growth mechanism was proposed. Moreover, room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra were obtained for these CeO₂ nanowires, which are believed to be related to the abundant defects in these nanostructures.