CdTe nanorod arrays were prepared by using a simple solvothermal process using Te nanorod arrays as the sacrifice template.The CdTe nanorods are orientation stacked by lots of CdTe nanoparticles.The photoluminescence properties of these arrays include excellent fluorescence.The concentration of KOH plays a key role in the formation of CdTe nanorod arrays.The possible formation mechanism of CdTe nanorod arrays is proposed.