In order to explore the initial sign and development stage of Benggang in granite red soil area in South China, field investigations were conducted in two typical Benggang areas in Tongcheng, Hubei and Cenxi, Guangxi to investigated the development process of Benggang. The results showed that there was a special niche shaped ephemeral gully developed from a rill in both survey areas, named niche-like ephemeral gully (NEG). The morphology of the NEG had the following characteristics:a distinct rill in the upstream, steep banks, a narrow upper bank and a wide, deep gully bed. The NEG was formed on slopes without plant cover where sandy soil layers were exposed, with a small contribute area and a slope steeper than 30°. The NEG was a special morphological ephemeral gully, its definition, morphology, erosion forces were different from the ephemeral gully, permanent gully, Amphitheater shaped canyons and so on. The NEG was the process of gully erosion changed from being dominated by hydraulic erosion to being highly coupled by hydraulic and gravity erosion. The NEG is the launching marker for the Benggang. The formation of the NEG is related to the soil configuration of granitic red soil with upper red clay and lower sandy soil layers. Taking the emergence of NEG as a sign, the development stage of Benggang is re-classified into the early preparation stage, initial launching stage, middle development stage and late maturation stage. The characteristics of the NEG and the management effect of the study area show that the terrace is not suitable for the area with a thin red soil layer. The discovery of the NEG will promote the study of the early development of Benggang and provide a new theoretical basis for the prevention and management of the Benggang.