The praseodymium-doped $TiO_2$ photocatalyst samples, which could degrade methyl orange under UV irradiation, were prepared by sol-microwave method for improving the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$. The resulting materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS). It was found Pr doping retarded the growth of crystalline size and the phase transformation from anatase to rutile, and narrowed the band gap energy. Praseodymium doping brought about remarkable improvement in the photoactivity. The optimal dopant amount of Pr was 2% by molar of cement and the calcination temperature was $500^{circ}C$ for the best photocatalytic activity. The improvement of photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the occurrence of lattice distortion and the effective containment of the recombination of the electron-hole by $Pr^{3+}$.