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Friday, June 13, 2025
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The Ancient Observatory
2 Dongbiaobei Hutong, southwest corner of Jianguomen Bridge
Beijing
Beijing
China
Type: Historical Interest
Addmission Fee: ¥10
Hours: Tues-Sun 9 am-4 pm
Comments ( 0 )
Rating (0 Votes)
Beijing
Beijing
China
Type: Historical Interest
Addmission Fee: ¥10
Hours: Tues-Sun 9 am-4 pm
Comments ( 0 )
Rating (0 Votes)
Understanding the skies was perceived as fundamental to maintaining power by the rulers of dynastic China lest they lose the Mandate of Heaven (see History, Zhou Dynasty, p. 6). To this end they invested much time and effort in trying to predict eclipses and comets, which were seen as omens of change.
The current observatory was established in 1442 and was initially guided by Muslim astrologers, reflecting the advanced state of Islamic science in the medieval world, until the arrival of the Jesuits in 1601, who took the reins until the early 19th century.
The Jesuits sought to use their superior knowledge and equipment to impress the court, with the aim of eventually converting the emperor, and China, to Catholicism. Under the guidance of a Belgian priest, Father Verbiest.
The Chinese learned how to accurately predict eclipses and the astrological instruments you can see on the roof were mostly designed by Jesuits on the orders of Emperor Kangxi in 1674, although the large azimuth was a gift from Louis XIV.
Today, in true Beijing style, the ancient observatory, housed in a former watchtower, is dwarfed by the modern buildings that surround it.
Special evening events are held here to observe cosmic events such as comets and eclipses but modern Beijing’s polluted skies means that it’s hardly the best place to enjoy a stellar spectacle.
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