As one of the oldest observatories in the world, Beijing Ancient Observatory covers 10,000 square meters. The observatory itself is located on a 15-meter tall brick platform that is about 40 x 40 square meters in area. Located at the southwest of Jianguomen overpass in Beijing, Beijing Ancient Observatory was the national observatory during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The eight pieces of copper astronomical instruments made During the Qing Dynasty are large, attractive and exquisitely carved. Although their appearance, floriation and workmanship are traditionally Chinese, they also reflect the progress and achievements made by large astronomical instruments after the Renaissance period in Western Europe in aspects such as scale and structure. They have become historical witnesses of cultural exchange between the East and the West.

Beijing Ancient Observatory owns the large bronze astronomical instruments copied by craftsmen during the Yuan Dynasty, as well as precise new instruments designed by Xu Guangqi (a famous Chinese scientists of Qing dynasty) and other foreign missionaries. The instruments show the exchange of cultural achievements between Chinese and Western countries, and are vital pieces of information for studying ancient astronomical achievements.

Open: closed on Tuesdays and open on other days from 9:00am to 11:30am and from 1 pm to 4:30pm.

Address: Hutong No. 2 at East Biaobei, Dongcheng District, Beijing. (北京市东城区东裱褙胡同2号)