What are the characteristics of Beijing Ancient Observatory?

On a high-rise building in the southwest corner of Jianguomen overpass in Beijing, eight large bronzes of Qing Dynasty are displayed, which is the prestigious Beijing Ancient Observatory.

Beijing Ancient Observatory was built in the sixth year of next year (1442). At that time, besides the stage and instruments, Wei Zi Temple was built under the stage, and Yan Yingtang was built in the 11th year of Ming Dynasty (1447). At this time, the observatory has begun to take shape.

The name of Beijing Ancient Observatory is different in different periods. It was called the Star Observatory in the Ming Dynasty, the Central Observatory after the Revolution of 1911, and 1929 was changed to "National Astronomical Exhibition Hall". The Beijing Observatory has not changed much so far, except that the top of the platform was expanded eastward by three meters due to the increase of instruments in the Qing Dynasty.

The instruments in Beijing Ancient Observatory are huge, beautifully shaped and beautifully carved. After years of tempering, the musical instruments on the stage have withstood Cang Sang.

When Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, the French took away the equatorial theodolite, quadrant, ecliptic theodolite, horizon theodolite and simple instruments, and returned them to China in 1902 due to public opinion.

Germany also shipped the gauge, horizon, celestial sphere, health aid and armillary sphere to Germany on warships. It was not until the German defeat in World War I that the ancient musical instruments were returned to China. After the instrument was robbed, in order to make the observation uninterrupted, the Observatory made a semi-celestial globe and a semi-horizon theodolite.

After the September 18th Incident, the situation in North China was tense, and some antiquities moved south. As a result, seven instruments, including armillary sphere, simple instrument, standard watch and clepsydra, were transported to Nanjing, and are now displayed at Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory and Nanjing Museum respectively.

After liberation, the ancient platform was not used for a long time and was almost deserted. 1955 was handed over to the Beijing Planetarium for restoration and management, and 1956 was opened to the public in the name of Beijing Ancient Astronomical Instruments Exhibition Hall on May1day. However, it was temporarily suspended until April when 1983 reopened. After the opening up, China's ancient astronomical achievements were exhibited. Wei Zi Hall on the west side of the stage is decorated with new oil. The East Pavilion and the West Pavilion respectively exhibited astronomical instruments, the history of ancient platforms, ancient calendars, and ancient timing instruments made in various dynasties in China.