The catalytic characteristics of PW12 heteropoly-acid supported on several dome, stic activated carbons were investigated for the esterification of acetic acid with terpineol in the liquid-solid system. XRD and NH3-TPD of catalyst were studied in detail. Different activated carbons had remarkably different adsorption strength for PW12. The effects of reaction conditions were studied. The most suitable conditions for the reaction were obtained. The results showed that this catalyst had a higher catalytic activity, which made the produce process of the esterification of acetic acid easy, also it could easily be recovered and could be used repeatedly many times.