[Objective]The discovery of Permian shale gas in central Hunan is helpful to reappraise the potential of shale gas resources in Xiangzhong Depression and expand the scope of Permian shale gas exploration in South China. [Methods] Based on XSD1 well deployed in Shaoyang area, central Hunan Province, this paper uses whole-section coring, gas logging and field analytical experiments to find out the distribution and gas bearing characteristics of major Permian shale formations. [Results] 88.2m of Dalong Formation siliceous shale gas was drilled in XSD1 well, with the total analytical content of 1.29-9.97m3/t, with an average of 4.85m3/t. The gas layer between mudstone and siltstone of Longtan Formation has been drilled with a total gas content of 0.57-3.42 m3/t, with an average of 1.78 m3/t. Mudstone with argillaceous siltstone gas layer is 111.6m, and the total gas content analyzed on site is 0.90-4.55m3/t, with an average of 2.01 m3/t. [Conclusions] The enrichment of Permian shale gas in this area is mainly affected by the fault sealing property, and the footwall of slip faults is the main enrichment area of shale gas. The research results have important guiding significance to the exploration and development of Permian shale gas in central Hunan area.