The Ancient Observatory is located close to the crossing of Jianguomennei and the Second Ring Road in the center of the city. In 1279, the Ancient Observatory was originally built north of the present site. The truth is that the site you see nowadays was built in the mid-15th century and sat atop a watchtower that was once a part of the city walls. It served both the Ming and Qing Dynasties in making predictions and helping navigators who were about to go to the seas.

In the 13th century, Chinese astronomers fixed the length of the year at 365.2424 days – within one-1,000th of a day according to modern calculations. They achieved such precision with the aid of bronze astronomical instruments such as those on display in the Ancient Observatory.

Today the observatory is surrounded by ring roads and the roar of traffic, yet it remains an evocative reminder of the era in which Jesuit priests advised Chinese emperors, and reading the stars was of crucial importance to governance.

Today, things have changed dramatically. It has been surrounded by ring roads but still remains a reminder of the era in which Jesuit priests advised Chinese emperors. Although nowadays we don’t have to use it any more, it is a good place to have a nice tour of.