Golden Hour at Zhangjiajie
Hunan, China — Towering sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar's floating mountains.
Golden hour at Zhangjiajie varies from 36 minutes in the morning to 36 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:33 in January to 07:25 in December. Towering sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar's floating mountains. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:33 | 18:01 | 35m | 35m | 114° ESE | 246° WSW |
| Feb | 07:16 | 18:27 | 33m | 33m | 104° ESE | 256° WSW |
| Mar | 06:47 | 18:46 | 31m | 31m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:11 | 19:04 | 32m | 32m | 78° ENE | 282° WNW |
| May | 05:45 | 19:23 | 33m | 33m | 68° ENE | 292° WNW |
| Jun | 05:38 | 19:39 | 35m | 35m | 62° ENE | 298° WNW |
| Jul | 05:49 | 19:39 | 34m | 34m | 65° ENE | 295° WNW |
| Aug | 06:06 | 19:18 | 32m | 32m | 74° ENE | 287° WNW |
| Sep | 06:23 | 18:43 | 31m | 31m | 86° E | 274° W |
| Oct | 06:40 | 18:08 | 32m | 32m | 100° E | 261° W |
| Nov | 07:02 | 17:43 | 34m | 34m | 111° ESE | 249° WSW |
| Dec | 07:25 | 17:41 | 36m | 36m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Zhangjiajie
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: April
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
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| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Zhangjiajie?
- Golden hour at Zhangjiajie varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 36m and evening 36m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Zhangjiajie?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:33 in January to 07:25 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Zhangjiajie?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 116° ESE in winter to 62° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 244° WSW to 298° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Zhangjiajie?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are April, May, March.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Zhangjiajie?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 06:53. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Zhangjiajie?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Zhangjiajie?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Zhangjiajie during April, May, March. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Zhangjiajie good for astrophotography?
- Zhangjiajie has up to 3 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (April, May, March). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
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- Bagan 1807 km
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- Mount Fuji 2731 km
- Taj Mahal 3172 km