In this paper, 8 typical granite-derived soil profiles in eastern Hunan Province were selected, the information of soil-forming environment and profile morphological characteristics were observed in fields, the physico-chemical properties of soils were measured in lab, the diagnostic horizons and diagnostic characteristics of the soil profiles were determined, the senior units and basic units of taxonomy were identified and established according the definition and standards on Chinese Soil Taxonomy, The results show that there are 9 diagnostic horizons and characteristics such as Ochric epipedon, Umbric epipedon, LAC-ferric horizon and Argic horizon in the 8 soil profiles. These soil profiles belong to Argosols, Ferrosols and Cambosols in soil order and to four soil subgroups of Typic Ali-udic Cambosols, Typic Hapli-udic Ferrosols, Typic Ali-udic Argosols and Typic Acidi-udic Argosols. According to the classification standards of soil family and soil series, 6 soil families and 8 soil series are identified and established finally. This study proved that the current classification standards of soil family and soil series are applicable in determining the basic units of soil taxonomy, and compared with soil genetic classification, and soil taxonomy can better reflect the differences in granite-derived soil characteristics in eastern Hunan and disclose more accurately the differences in soil developmental stage and in soil types.