The Ancient Observatory is one of Beijing's wonders. Originally known as the Star Observatory, it was built in 1442, the 6th Year of Ming Dynasty. It had 500 years of successive astronomical observation history from the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty to the year 1929, making it one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. The name was shortened to to Observatory during the Qing Dynasty, and to Central Star Observatory after the Revolution in 1911.


NASA: This hand-painted lantern slide was originally taken in 1895.

The observatory complex consists of a ten-meter high brick Watching Star Platform, the Purple Hall, Eastern and Western Wings and Sun's Shadow Hall. Eight huge bronze astronomical instruments are displayed on top. Here is a photo of the Celestial Globe, made in 1673 AD (Qing Dynasty) and designed for measuring the time and azimuth of the rising and setting of celestial bodies.


Seer photo. Taken in 2002, 329 years after construction.

When you visit, you can buy a 219 page paperback book that explains the operating principles and accuracy of each of the eight instruments and how to use them for observation.