Lead tungstate (PbWO 4 ) microcrystals with different morphologies, such as tetragonal sheet-like, multiwall-like, quasi octahedron-like, and flower-like, have been successfully synthesized for the first time via a facile microwave-assisted method. The concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium and the reaction time were found to play an important role in the morphological control of resulting PbWO 4 microcrystals. The products were characterized by the techniques of powder X-ray diffraction pattern and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. A possible process contributed to the formation of the well-fined PbWO 4 microcrystals was discussed. The PbWO 4 microcrystals were found to display a strong room temperature luminescence with intensity depending on their shape.