Ni-La2O3-SiO2 catalysts were prepared by wetness impregnation and sol-gel method followed by conventional drying and supercritical drying, respectively. Their physico-chemical properties and activity for the hydrogenation of m-dinitrobenzene to m-phenylenediamine were investigated by BET, XRD, TPR, H-2-TPD and activity tests. The results showed that the structural and catalytic properties of the Ni-La2O3-SiO2 catalysts obviously depended on the preparation method and the drying mode. The catalyst prepared by the sol-gel method in combination with conventional drying exhibited the highest catalytic activity among the catalysts tested, attributable to its well-dispersed nickel particles and larger active nickel surface area.