This invention relates to an improved method for stereoselectively preparing 2 -deoxy-2 ,2 -difluorocytidine of formula (I), which comprises the steps of reacting a 1-halo ribofuranose compound of formula (III) with a nucleobase of formula (IV) in a solvent to obtain a nucleoside of formula (II) with removing the silyl halide of formula (V) produced during the reaction; and deprotecting the nucleoside of formula (II) to obtain 2 -deoxy-2 ,2 -difluorocytidine of formula (I).