A series of catalysts with different contents of K, Na and Cs for vapor phase condensation of ester aldehydes were prepared by impregnation method using γ-Al2O3 and SiO2 as carriers. The structure, acid and basic sites of the catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, NH3-TPD and CO2-TPD. The condensation performance of catalysts for methyl propionate and formaldehyde in vapor phase was investigated. The results showed that the activity of 10% Cs/SiO2 catalyst was better under the same reaction conditions (pressure 0.2 MPa, temperature 370 ℃, weight hourly space velocity 1.2 h-1), the conversion of methyl propionate was the highest (41.03%) and the selectivity was 99.20%. Under the premise of abundant alkali center, there was a positive correlation between the proportion of weakly basic sites on the surface of the catalyst and its catalytic performance for condensation of ester aldehydes in vapor phase. The presence of acidic and moderately strong alkaline sites of the catalyst could lead to a decrease in activity and selectivity of the catalyst.