Y_2O_2S:Eu~(3+), Mg~(2+), Ti~(4+) nanorods were prepared by a solvothermal procedure. Rod-like Y(OH)_3 was firstly synthesized by hydro-thermal method to serve as the precursor. Y_2O_2S:Eu~(3+), Mg~(2+), Ti~(4+) powders were obtained by calcinating the precursor at CS_2 atmosphere.The Y_2O_2S:Eu~(3+), Mg~(2+), Ti~(4+) phosphor with diameters of 30-50 nm and lengths up to 200-400 nm inherited the rod-like shape from the pre-cursor after calcined at CS_2 atmosphere. The Y_2O_2S:Eu~(3+), Mg~(2+), Ti~(4+) nanorods showed hexagonal pure phase, good dispersion and exhibited bright red luminescence. After irradiation by 265 or 325 nm for 5 min, the phosphor emitted red long-lasting phosphorescence, and the phos-phorescence could be seen with the naked eyes in the dark clearly for more than 1 h after the irradiation source was removed. It was consid-ered that the long-lasting phosphorescence was due to the persistent energy transfer from the traps to the Ti~(4+) and Mg~(2+) ions to generate the red-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence.