Rare earth zirconates (Ln(2)Zr(2)O(7), Ln = La, Nd, Sm, and Gd) with pyrochlore structure were prepared by hydrothermal method with polyethylene glycol as surfactant. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy were utilized to characterize the phase structure, thermal decomposition, and morphology of the products. Qualitative analysis indicates that the as-prepared zirconates are pyrochlore-type structures. The specific surface area, lattice parameter, and average crystallite size of the as-prepared products are closely related to the ionic radius. The activation energy of crystal growth shows an increasing trend with the decrease in ionic radii. The sintering behavior of compacted body was also investigated, revealing that the sintering-resistance properties of Ln(2)Zr(2)O(7) are descending as the order of La2Zr2O7, Nd2Zr2O7, Sm2Zr2O7, and Gd2Zr2O7.