$(Pb_{1-x} La_x)(Zr_{0.65} Ti_{0.35})_{1-x/4}O_3$ (PLZT X/65/35) powders were prepared by molten salt synthesis using NaCl-K Cl and conventional calcining of oxides. The effects of molten salt on formation and charactrization of PLZT powder and on dielectric piezolectric and optical properties of PLZT ceramics were studied, The completed PLZT powder formation in the presence of fused salt was attained at 50-10$0^{circ}C$ lower temperature than that in solid state reaction and the particle size of the powder made by molten salt synthesis was markedly increased with increasing calcining temperature. The substitution of Na and/or K ions in NaCl-KCl for Pb ion in process of molten salt synthesis was increased with increasing La concentration Z. These substituted Na and/or K ions were identified as the origins of decreasing coupl-ing factor and optical transmittance of PLZT ceramics.