Wenchang Space Launch Site: launch schedule & viewing guide
Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island is China's newest and southernmost launch facility. Its low latitude gives rockets a meaningful boost toward geostationary and deep-space trajectories, and it serves as the primary site for China's Long March 5 heavy-lift rocket and crewed missions under the Chinese Space Station program.
Upcoming launches from Wenchang
- Long March 7A | Unknown Payload In 3 days
- Long March 10B | Demo Flight In 5 weeks
- Long March 5 | Chang'e 7 In 14 weeks
📅 Subscribe to Wenchang launches in your calendar
About Wenchang
Wenchang became operational in the mid-2010s, specifically designed to handle large rockets that could not be transported to China's inland launch sites by train. Because Hainan is an island, rocket sections can be delivered by ship, enabling the construction and launch of much larger vehicles. The Long March 5 — China's most powerful rocket — launches exclusively from Wenchang and has carried lunar orbiters, Mars missions, and space station modules.
The site also supports Long March 7 launches and is a central node in China's ambitious space program, including the Tianhe core module of the Chinese Space Station and Chang'e lunar missions. A second launch zone is being developed to increase the site's capacity. Wenchang's coastal setting and the accessibility of Hainan as a tourist destination make it one of the more observer-friendly Chinese launch sites.
Rockets: Long March 5, Long March 7, Long March 5B.
Launch operators: China National Space Administration, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Watching a launch near Wenchang
Wenchang launches attract large crowds on Hainan Island, particularly along the coastline near the launch center. The site is visible from beaches and public areas to the east and north, and local authorities typically allow public gathering in designated areas. The Long March 5 is a large and bright rocket, visible for several minutes after launch. International visitors can travel to Hainan, though access to the immediate launch zone is restricted.
Best nearby towns to watch from
- San Jose, CA — about 7214 mi away; launches appear toward the northwest.
- Fresno, CA — about 7330 mi away; launches appear toward the northwest.
- San Luis Obispo, CA — about 7357 mi away; launches appear toward the northwest.
- Pismo Beach, CA — about 7364 mi away; launches appear toward the northwest.
- Guadalupe, CA — about 7375 mi away; launches appear toward the northwest.
- Santa Maria, CA — about 7382 mi away; launches appear toward the northwest.
Wenchang viewing FAQ
Can international visitors watch launches at Wenchang?
International visitors can legally travel to Hainan and watch launches from public areas along the coast. Hainan is a duty-free tourist zone with good transport links. While access to the launch complex itself is restricted, the coastline to the east offers clear views, and local residents and tourists routinely gather to watch launches from public beaches.
What is the Long March 5 and why does it launch from Wenchang?
The Long March 5 is China's largest operational rocket, too wide to transport by rail to inland sites like Jiuquan or Xichang. Wenchang's coastal location allows the rocket's large components to be shipped by sea. The site's relatively low latitude of about 19 degrees north also improves performance for missions to geostationary orbit and beyond.
What major missions have launched from Wenchang?
Wenchang has supported some of China's most significant missions, including Tianwen-1 to Mars, Chang'e lunar missions, and the core and expansion modules of the Chinese Space Station Tiangong. Long March 7 rockets also launch Tianzhou cargo ships to the station from Wenchang, making it central to China's crewed spaceflight program.