Nanocrystalline Bi2Te3 (nanospheres with diameters of 50-500 nm, urchin-like nanorods with diameters ranging from 5 to 15 nm and lengths ranging from 40 to 100 nm) has been successfully synthesized by a microwave-solvothermal method using TeO2, Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O, and HNO3 in a solvent of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-400). Compared with other reaction systems, less reagents and reductant-free conditions were important factors to simplify the reaction process.