As a new type of fluorescent nanomaterials, graphene oxide quantum dots (GO QDs)have extensively captivated attention due to their excellent water solubility and biocompatibility. In this work, GO and hydrogen peroxide were chosen as source and oxidant, and one-pot hydrothermal approach was proposed to rapidly synthesize graphene oxide quantum dots (GO QDs) in 90 min, making a rapid, efficient and green strategy of synthesis of GO QDs. The as-prepared GO QDs showed uniform size distribution, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) displayed that the diameter of GO QDs ranged from 225 to 525 nm. A large number of hydroxyl, carboxyl and carbonyl oxygen-containing functional groups were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis on the surface of GO QDs, indicating GO QDs present excellent water solubility. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited excitation-dependent photoluminescence emission of GO QDs. Based on the unique nanostructure, distinctive spectral properties and biocompatibility, GO QDs could be employed in cell imaging applications as a promising candidate of conventional fluorescent nanomaterials.