Bismuth silicate nanopowders were prepared by the sol-gel method. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and Bi2O3 were used as the starting materials. The precursors were heat-treated at 750℃ for 2 h. The size distribution of Bi4Si3O12 nanopowders is 40~100 nm. The TG-DTA curves, the XRD patterns and the TEM microphotograph of Bi4Si3O12 are discussed. Compared with crystal materials, the excitation spectra and the emission spectra of Bi4Si3O12 nanopowders indicate blue shift.