The invention relates to a method for modifying a photocatalyst TiO2 by using WO3 and a rare earth metal element La. The method comprises the following steps: dispersing a precursor tetrabutyl titanate into a solvent absolute ethyl alcohol, performing a hydrolysis reaction to obtain nanometer TiO2 particles, and introducing a semiconductor material WO3 and a rare earth metal element La in a reaction process, wherein the mol ratio of the Ti:WO3:La is 100:(0-10):(1-6), and the WO3-La/TiO2 nanometer compound photocatalyst is uniform in size, better in dispersity, free from toxicity and secondary pollution, low in price of raw materials and stable in source, simple in synthesis process without secondary pollution, low in price and stable in source of raw materials, simple in synthesis process without pollution, excellent in performance, and wide in application range, can be repeatedly used, can be conveniently prepared into a powdery coating or other types of green environmental-friendly material, is applied to pollution removal and purification of various environments, and has a wide practical application value in the aspect of preparation of a photoelectric material or photocatalysis material.