Zhangwu
About
Anji County, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
Zhangwu Urban Night Sky Place is located in Shimen Hamlet, Jingwu Village, Zhangwu Town, nestled in the bamboo-covered mountains of northwestern Anji County, Zhejiang Province, China. Offering sweeping views across the mountains of Zhejiang and neighboring Anhui, this site provides a convenient stargazing destination for nearby city residents seeking an accessible night sky experience.
Built on an ecological foundation, the region nurtures its starry-sky resources in the mountains. The core area spans about 0.26 square kilometers, with a summit at 680 meters above sea level. Surrounded by forests, bamboo groves, and stream valleys, over 90 percent of the area is vegetated. Visitors can watch clouds gather among the ridges by day and stargaze after dusk. Zhangwu has a long and distinguished cultural history, named one of China’s most beautiful historic and cultural towns in 2015. More than 30 historic buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties remain, preserving a rich legacy.
Night sky conservation is a shared undertaking among the town government, the village community, the Jiangjun Mountain Stargazing Campsite, and specialist teams. Following a village-wide lighting survey, improvements included replacing 20 road lighting fixtures and installing 20 shielded ground lights with low-color-temperature luminaires and timer controls. Local guesthouses also received guidance on switching off or removing unsuitable courtyard lighting. These efforts address the direction, intensity, and timing of outdoor light while maintaining lighting needed for everyday activities and safety.
Public participation extends from lighting demonstrations for residents and business owners to stargazing festivals, astronomy talks, and observing activities for students and visitors. Regular measurements with an SQM-L Sky Quality Meter at eight locations across the site help document night sky conditions. Weather, cloud cover, and lunar phase are recorded alongside the readings.
The site welcomes the public, with access subject to weather and safety arrangements. Before traveling up the mountain for stargazing or an overnight stay, visitors should contact Jiangjun Mountain Stargazing Campsite to confirm reservations, opening hours, transport, and current fees. Daytime arrival is recommended. On-site, visitors should follow lighting guidance, keep lights dim and directed downward, minimize noise, and take their litter home. Stargazing conditions vary with weather, cloud cover, and lunar phase.
Area
49 km²
Designated
2026
Category
Urban Night Sky Place
Address
Shimen Hamlet, Zhangwu Town, China
Anji County, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313300
Google Maps
Contact
Xu Zhidan
Economic Development Office
Zhangwu Town People’s Government
[email protected]
