The synthesis of Bi_2S_3 hierarchical nanostructure was reported by a solvothermal reaction using ethylene disulfhydrate as the sulfur source and chelating reagent. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and photoluminescence(PL). The XRD, Raman, and XPS data confirmed that the as-synthesized sample belongs to orthorhombic phase Bi_2S_3. The SEM observations displayed that Bi_2S_3 hierarchical nanostructure assembled from nanorods. A 410 nm ultraviolet photoluminescence(PL) emission of as-synthesized Bi_2S_3 was observed when the sample was excited with wavelength of 320-330 nm. The Bi_2S_3 hierarchical nanostructure also shows a significant enhancement of photocatalytic capability toward degrading methyl orange(MO) under UV light, the photodegradation of MO reaches 95% within 180 min. The synthesis of Bi_2S_3 hierarchical nanostructure was reported by a solvothermal reaction using ethylene disulfhydrate as the sulfur source and chelating reagent. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL). The XRD, Raman, and XPS data confirmed that the as-synthesized sample belongs to orthorhombic phase Bi_2S_3. The SEM observations showed that Bi_2S_3 hierarchical nanostructure assembled from nanorods. A 410 nm ultraviolet photoluminescence (PL) emission of as-synthesized Bi_2S_3 was observed when the sample was excited with wavelength of 320-330 nm. The Bi_2S_3 hierarchical nanostructure also shows a significant enhancement of photocatalytic capability toward degrading methyl orange (MO) under UV light, the photodegradation of MO reaches 95% within 180 min.