Large-scale, rod-like nanostructures of LaPO4:Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method. The phase composition, structure and morphology of the final products were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM and TEM. Highly crystalline material was obtained as confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. The FE-SEM and TEM observations indicate that the obtained LaPO4:Eu3+ nanorods have a diameter of about 10-20 nm, and a length of about 100-600 nm. Meanwhile, the excitation and emission spectra of the products at room temperature were measured using a fluorescence spectrometer. The effects of pH and Eu3+-doping on the morphology and luminescence properties of the as-prepared powders were investigated. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra show that the emission intensity of the LaPO4:Eu3+ phosphors improved with increases in concentrations of Eu3+ from 3 mol% to 14 mol%, and then decreased for higher concentrations.