One-dimensional porous zinc oxide was prepared via the calcination of zinc oxalate precursor obtained by solvothermal method. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The results show that the obtained zinc oxide sample is porous and constructed by nanoparticles about 30 nm in size. The specific surface area and total pore volume are 126 m²·g^-1 and 0.13 cm³·g^-1, respectively． The PL properties related with defects in ZnO nanoparticles were discussed for porous zinc oxide samples.