For use as a photocatalyst, bismuth tungsten oxide, $Bi_2WO_6$, was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal treatment at pH = 11 and heating at 200 ${^{circ}C}$ for 24h, and samples were subsequently thermal treated at 400, 600, and 800 ${^{circ}C}$ to increase crystallinity. TEM results revealed that the initial untreated particles were sheet?shaped, grain size was below 80 nm, and it increased with treated temperatures. These $Bi_2WO_6$ samples absorbed at around 400 nm in the visible light range and the intensity of absorption was particularly strongest in samples thermal treated at 600 ${^{circ}C}$. Their photoluminescence abilities, related to the recombination between the excited electrons and holes, were overall small for other general photocatalysts such as TiO2, and the smallest in the case of thermal treatment at 600 ${^{circ}C}$, as reversible result of UV?visible absorbance. Methyl orange of 5.0 ppm aqueous solution was almost completely removed after 2 h when treated over the $Bi_2WO_6$ thermal treated at 600 ${^{circ}C}$.