Nanorod GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor was prepared by solovothermal reaction and the phosphorus source and the pH value of the solution were important to the final product. Photoluminescence properties of nanorod GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor was compared with bulk GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor. The luminescence colour purity of nanorod GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor was better than that of the bulk GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor under 147nm excitation. The host absorption band and Eu-O charge transfer band of nanorod GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor were blue shifted compared with the bulk GdPO4:Eu3+ phosphor.