The nanosecond laser produced plasma expansion in an external transverse magnetic field is explored by using optical imaging of plasma self-luminescence, optical spectrum and optical interferometry techniques. The plasma displays bifurcation and focusing phenomena in a transverse magnetic field, which is different from the scenarios without external magnetic field significantly. We set up a simplified magnetohydrodynamics model according to the feature of experimental parameters. The theoretical results of the temporal evolutions of the plasma density and the temperature are in good agreement with the experimental results, which confirms the important role of the magnetic diffusion in the plasma evolution.