Nanostructured thermoelectric bismuth telluride ($Bi_2Te_3$) powders with various morphologies, such as nanoplates, nanorods, and nanotubes, were prepared by a hydrothermal method based on the reaction between $BiCl_3$, Te, and sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate ($Na_2$-EDTA) at 150, 180, and $210^{circ}C$. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The effect of reaction temperature on the morphology of the $Bi_2Te_3$ particles was investigated, and the possible mechanism of morphology control was proposed.