The invention relates to a process for preparing phosphorous acid by hydrolyzing phosphorus trichloride, and in particular relates to a process for preparing phosphorous acid by hydrolyzing phosphorus trichloride under a mild reaction condition. According to the process, phosphorus trichloride and a hydrogen chloride solution are subjected to hydrolysis reaction in sequence in at least four stages of cascade reaction vessels under the condition that the temperature is 65-85 DEG C and the pressure is not more than 0.1Mpa to generate a phosphorous acid solution and gaseous hydrogen chloride. In the process, the phosphorus trichloride reacts with the water in a hydrochloric acid solution, the phosphorus trichloride is subjected to an exothermic reaction, the temperature of the process can reduce the hydrolysis rate to ensure that the reaction is performed mildly, and at least four stages of cascade bubbling reactions are adopted by the process, so that the utilization ratio of raw materials is improved, the phosphorus trichloride in the reaction vessel of the previous stage can enter the reaction vessel of the next stage, the content of the phosphorus trichloride in the reaction vessel of the previous stage is reduced in other ways, the intensity of the reaction is reduced again, the production safety is improved, and the service life of equipment is prolonged.