Gold catalysts based on ceria, doped by different lanthanides (La, Sm, Gd, Yb) in the reaction of WGS, were studied. The catalysts’ supports were prepared by mechanochemical activation. The catalysts are tested in a wide temperature interval and after reactivation. The samples are characterized by means of XRD, Raman and XP spectroscopies, TPR measurements. The highest activity showed the catalysts based on doped by Yb cerium oxide. There is no direct relationship of the amount of oxygen vacancies and Ce³⁺ depending on the dopants applied, estimated by Raman and XP spectroscopies. A high oxygen capacity was registered by TPR, the lowest T_max in the TPR was found for the catalyst with highest activity, doped by Yb.