Beijing Ancient Observatory

Why Beijing Ancient Observatory is special ?

Beijing Ancient Observatory is located in the southwest side of Jianguomen crossroad at Dongcheng District. Beijing Ancient Observatory belongs to China’s key national units of cultural relics protection. Among the existing ancient observatories in the world, the observatory has maintained the longest continuous observation record in history. Moreover, Beijing Ancient Observatory has long enjoyed a good international reputation with its well-preserved buildings and complete instruments. The observatory not only holds practical astronomical observation tools, but also unique historical treasures of the world. The Beijing Ancient Observatory was rebuilt as the Beijing Ancient Astronomical Instrument Exhibition Hall, and still plays an important role in the fields of technology and science.

Source: http://www.chinahighlights.com/

What to explore at Beijing Ancient Observatory?

Elaborate equatorial armillary sphere

This instrument is displayed in the northeastern area of the Beijing Ancient Observatory. It weighs 5,145 kilograms and is 3,379 meters high. This elaborate equatorial armillary sphere was the last large copper apparatus made during the Qing Dynasty, and reflects the development level at that time in terms of metallurgical manufacturing and carving mode.

Sextant

The sextant is on display at the southern area of the Beijing Ancient Observatory and is next to the equatorial armillary sphere. It weighs 802 kilograms and is 3.274 meters high. In China, such instruments were made during the Qing Dynasty.

Ecliptic armillary sphere

The ecliptic armillary sphere weighs 2,752 kilograms and is 3.492 meters high. It is China's first observation apparatus for an independent frame zodiac coordinate system.

Altazimuth

The altazimuth weighs 7,368 kilograms and is 4.125 meters high. It was the only astronomical instrument that adopted French decorative arts during the western Renaissance period.

Horizon circle

Displayed at the southern end of the Beijing Ancient Observatory, the horizon circle weighs 1,811 kilograms and is 3.201 meters high.

Equatorial armillary sphere

The equatorial armillary sphere weighs 2,720 kilograms and is 3.380 meters high. It was often used as an astronomical observation instrument in ancient China, and has more than fourteen usages, mainly to measure right ascensions and declinations of stars.

Celestial globe

The celestial globe weighs 3,850 kilograms and is 2.735 meters high. It is displaced at the middle-west side on top of the Beijing Ancient Observatory.

Quadrant

The quadrant is also called the zenith sector, and is displayed on the northwest side on top of the Beijing Ancient Observatory. It weighs 2,483 kilograms and is 3.611 meters high. The instrument is mainly used for measuring the distance of the stars on the horizon or the distance to the zenith.

Source: http://www.chinahighlights.com/

How to get to Beijing Ancient Observatory?

Subway:

Subway Line 1, Subway Line 2: get off at Jianguomen Station and get out of the station from Exit C (southwest exit).

Bus Route:

Take bus no. 805 Express, 434, 957, 668, 9, 829, 640, 827, 637, 674, 638, 29, 25, 39, 938 Express, 673, 639, 666, 59, 403, 420, 10, 122, 204 Outer Line, 209, 729, 805, 938, 52, 203, 204 Inner Line, 20, 692 and get off at Beijing Railway Station East.

Source: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/