Mn-doped ZnO rod arrays were successfully prepared on zinc substrate by a simple aqueous solution method. X-Ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy results indicate the doped Mn²⁺ has successfully incorporated into the ZnO crystal lattice. The optical, magnetic and electrical properties of as-prepared ZnO rod arrays were all changed due to Mn²⁺ doping into ZnO rods. Photoluminescence spectra at room temperature suggest that the band gap increases with increasing the Mn concentrations in ZnO rods. The M–H curves of all Mn-doped ZnO rod arrays show obvious ferromagnetic characteristics at room temperature. The current–voltage characteristic curves of Mn-doped ZnO rod arrays indicate that the samples are typical semiconductors.