Some factors (i.e. lithology, topography, climate, the change of population as well as land use during the past 50 years) that could have great influence on the development of gully in the arid-hot basin of Jinshajiang valley were investigated. The results show that the factors leading to the strong gully erosion in this area include: the widely distributed Yuanmou group stratum, which promotes the development of gully erosion; the unique geomorphologic configuration that is prone to rock fall and gully erosion; the strong and time-concentrated rainfall; the arid-humid alternate climate characteristics that prepares the ground for the development of fissures in soils; the arid-hot climate that goes against the growth and recovery of vegetation; and the unreason-able and abusive human activities. Some factors (ie lithology, topography, climate, the change of population as well as land use during the past 50 years) that could have great influence on the development of gully in the arid-hot basin of Jinshajiang valley were investigated. The results show that the factors leading to the strong gully erosion in this area include: the widely distributed Yuanmou group stratum, which promotes the development of gully erosion; the unique geomorphologic configuration that is prone to rock fall and gully erosion; the strong and time-concentrated rainfall the arid-humid alternate climate characteristics that prepares the ground for the development of fissures in soils; the arid-hot climate that goes against the growth and recovery of vegetation; and the unreason-able and abusive human activities.