ZnS nanowires and CdS nanorods can be synthesized by a two-step solvothermal method. Experiments indicate that the ZnS nanowires (diameter ~100 nm and length 15–20 μm) and CdS nanorods (diameter ~20 nm and length ~200 nm) obtained by this method have uniform morphologies and high yield. X-Ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize them. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to study the composition and thermal stabilization of the precursors. The possible formation mechanism and the UV-vis absorption and photoluminescent spectra were also studied.