Situated at the southeast corner of Jianguomen Bridge, it was initially built circa 1442, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Its rich history spans more than five hundred years, making it one of the most historically interesting observatories in the world. During the Ming Dynasty it was known as the "Platform of Star-Watching", but its name was later changed to "Observatory" during the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911). After the Revolution of 1911, the title became "Central Observatory". It was renovated in the early 1980s and reopened to the public in 1983. Today, it has become the "Ancient Astronomical Instruments Display Hall', an affiliate of the Beijing Observatory.

In 1227, when the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) was overthrown, the astronomical instruments in the capital at Bianliang were moved to Beijing by the Jin rulers and installed in the Jin Chief Astronomer's Observatory. When the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) succeeded the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and established its capital in Beijing, it Ancient Observatory built a new observatory just north of the site of the present-day structure in 1279. The instruments designed by Wang Xun and Guo Shoujin and built by Nepalese craftsman Arniko served virtually unchanged as the basis of astronomical work for the last 500 years.

If your kid is a fan of astronomy, you can take he/she a turn looking at the starry sky, maybe he/she will catch a glimpse of a meteor or his/her constellation.

Ticket Price: CNY 20

Address: No.2, Dong Biaobei Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

By Bus: Take bus No. 9, 20, 25, 29, 39, 52, 59, 122, 403, 420, 619, 622, 637, 674, 805, 827 or 938, and get off at Beijing Railway Station East.

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

Source: tour-beijing.com