We present a synthetic method of zinc sulfide nanowires by a simple and safe reaction of zinc oxide and iron sulfide powders on a gold-coated silicon substrate through chemical vapor transport and condensation. High quality ZnS nanowires with single crystalline wurtzite structures are grown along [001] direction with diameters in the range of 10-30 nm and lengths up to tens of micrometers. Photoluminescence spectrum shows strong emission near 339 nm. These nanowires with cleaved ends could be a prominent candidate material for a nanoscale cavity as a ultra-violet nanolaser. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.