One-dimensional (1D) Cu-doped CdS nanostructure is synthesized via the chemical vapor deposition. The growth mechanism of Cu-doped CdS nanoarchitecture is disclosed. Some novel photonic properties are discovered. The experimental results indicate that the preparation of Cu-doped CdS 1D nanostructure could be achieved by controlling the experiment conditions. With the effect of doped ions, the nanoarchitecture has different radiant spectra when it is excitated by lasers of different powers. Doping concentration is considered to be an evident factor to affect the position and relative power of the illuminant peaks but not to influence spectrum shapes evidently. The result may be conducible to extending the application of CdS nanoarchitectures in the research field of nanophotonics.