In order to optimize the design of UHV substation and reduce its construction investment, it is necessary to take further research of UHV substation air-gap discharge characteristics. In this paper, by using sub-conductor and tower to simulate UHV substation air-gap, lightning and switching impulse discharge characteristics tests of UHV substation are taken in the UHV AC test base of SGCC. The results show that, when the distance of conductor between tower is in range of 4m to 7m, the 50% lightning impulse and switching impulse discharge voltage rise along with the rise of air gap distance. As the air-gap increases, the switching impulse discharge voltage presents the trend of saturation. According to the analysis of test results, we can draw a conclusion that the gap factor of switching impulse discharge can be 1.22 when the minimum distance between conductors and tower is 5~8m.