The reservoir features, organic geochemical characteristics and gas-bearing property of the shale from Jianshi area in western Hubei Province were studied, and the factors associated with gas content of the shale were preliminary discussed. Some conclusions have been reached:① Quartz and clay minerals seem to be the major minerals in the shale, the pores of the reservoir are mainly organic pores, mineral dissolution pores and intergranular pores, and the reservoirs are characterized by low porosity and ultra-low permeability with a rock porosity of 0.2%~4.5% and a permeability of 0.081 0×10^-3 μm²; ② They are high in organic matter and thermal evolution degree, and have an average TOC content of 7.63% and an average Ro value of 3.29%, with the organic matter belonging mainly to type Ⅱ; ③ The gas content of the shale is higher with an average of 1.32 m³/t, which exhibits a positive correlation with porosity, organic matter abundance and maturity, and a weak positive correlation with the content of clay minerals. The research on shale gas reservoir could provide certain reference for the subsequent shale gas exploration and development of Jianshi in western Hubei Province.