The invention relates to a preparation method of anhydrous lanthanum chloride. The preparation method comprises following steps: 1, lanthanum carbonate powder is dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid until pH value is detected to be 2-3, and stirring reaction is carried out for 1 to 5h; 2, an obtained solution is filtered so as to remove impurities; 3, an obtained mixed solution is subjected to millipore filtration so as to obtain a filtrate; 4, the filtrate is subjected to evaporative concentration; 5, an obtained product is cooled on a crystallizing pan to 20 DEG C, and is subjected to 12 to 24h of nature crystallization; 6, an obtained filter liquor is filtered so as to obtain a crystal, and the crystal is delivered into a centrifugal hydroextractor for 20 to 60min of dehydration so as to obtain an intermediate product; 7, the intermediate product is delivered into a non-oxidation drying oven, is heated to 70 DEG C, and is subjected to thermal insulation for 2h so as to obtain LaCl3*3H2O crystal, is heated to 160 DEG C, and is subjected to thermal insulation for 2h so as to obtain LaCl3*H2O crystal, and then is heated to 250 DEG C, and is subjected to thermal insulation for 4h so as to obtain anhydrous lanthanum chloride. Beneficial effects of the preparation method are that: reaction processes are simple, and are convenient to control; production period is short; a clear transparent solution can be obtained via dissolving of the obtained finished product, and impurity content is low.