Abstract Ideally ordered TiO₂ hole arrays with high aspect ratios were prepared by the anodization of pretextured Ti. The obtained TiO₂ acted as two-dimensional photonic crystals in which a photonic band gap is formed in all directions of light propagation in the lattice. The process allows the easy and low-cost fabrication of TiO₂ photonic crystals and can be used for the preparation of functional optical devices, which require the precise control of light propagation.