The modified skeletal Ni catalyst was prepared by quenching technique, and it was employed for the catalytic hydrogenation of dimethyl terephthalate(DMT) to Dimethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DMCD). Effects of solvent, reaction temperature, pressure, initial concentration of DMT and amount of catalyst have been investigated. Under optimal reaction conditions: c(DMT) =1.0 mol/L, m(DMT): m(catalyst) = 4:1, 95 ℃, 6.0 MPa pressure, the selectivity of DMCD was up to 92.3% in 140 min with 100% conversion of DMT in isopropanol solvent. After QS-Ni catalyst was recycled for 16 times, conversion of DMT and selectivity to DMCD still remain at 99.3% and 92.0%, respectively.