Synthesis of rare earth compound nanosheets with uniform thickness is of potential interest to the luminescent materials. Herein, whole series of rare earth hydrates and oxides nanosheets have been synthesized by using lamellar liquid crystal as a template, except Ce and Pm. Polarizing microscope images and transmission electron microscopy images show that the lamellar liquid crystal can prevent the rare earth hydrate nanosheets from curving to nanotubes in the processes of synthesis. The synthesized nanosheets have a uniform thickness of 10–15nm and can retain morphology after being calcined at 650°C. After facile chemical treatment, the functionalized rare earth compounds were obtained, which have unique luminescent property.