Beijing Ancient Observatory

The Ancient Observatory, located inside Jianguo Gate,

T The construction of the Ancient Observatory consists of a masonry platform and auxiliary buildings. Some large bronzed astronomical instruments stand on the platform. It was the centre of astronomical observation in Ming and Qing dynasties. Original astronomical instruments of Ming Dynasty have been moved to the Purple Mountain (Zijinshan) Observatory in Nanjing and the Nanjing Museum. Existing instruments include armillary sphere, quadrant altazimuth, celestial globe, ecliptic armilla, altazimuth, azimuth theodolite, sextant, equatorial armilla, etc. They were all made in the early Qing Dynasty. In 1956, the observatory was taken as the Beijing Ancient Astronomical Instruments Display Hall. It is a national cultural heritage under special protection.

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