To study the anisotropic characteristics of deformation and strength of layered rock masses, we produced a number of layered rock masses with different inclination angles into standard specimens for uniaxial compression laboratory tests. Through the tests we obtained the elastic modulus, peak strength and residual strength of the specimens, as well as their variation regularities with inclination angle β. We also analyzed the fracture morphology of the specimens at peak values, and finally verified the validity of the test results by theoretical calculation. The results showed that: with the increase of inclination angle β, the elastic modulus, peak strengths and residual strength of the specimens showed a tendency of increase after decrease. When β equaled to 90 °, the modulus and strengths reached the maximum values. When β ranged from 45 ° to 60 °, the modulus and strengths were relatively small. Moreover, when β equaled to 90 °, the corresponding modulus and strengths were larger than those when β equaled to 0 °, displaying significant anisotropic characteristics; when β ranged from 0 ° to 15 °, splitting failure occurred along the axial stress direction; if β was greater than 30 °, sliding failure took place along the structural surface; when β equaled to 90 °, splitting failure happened along the structural surface.