Novel LaCO3OH microspheres with the hexagonal phase were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using La(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and urea CO(NH2)(2) as the starting materials. Various experimental parameters were examined, such as the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the molar ratios of the starting reagents. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL). The PL result showed one broad emission band centered at 438 nm (lambda(ex) = 365 nm) of the pure LaCO3OH microspheres. In addition, a possible formation mechanism of LaCO3OH microspheres and the PL property of pure LaCO3OH microspheres were discussed.