Ancient Observatory

Relying on astronomy to dictate everything from planting crops, to when religious ceremonies should occur, the Chinese have been gazing at the stars for centuries. Appointed by the emperor to help him rule the country and advise on auspicious dates, it was the court astronomers who made some of the greatest advances in pre-telescopic astronomy. When Jesuit priests arrived in China in the 17th century, Eastern and Western methods combined and many of the results can be seen here, including the 8 bronze instruments on the roof. Other exhibits in the observatory’s museum explain the all important lunar calendar (the word for ‘month’ in Chinese is still the same as the word for ‘moon’) and the Shadow Observation House, where Ming and Qing dynasty astronomers would make sun-shadow observations and therefore be able to tell the time accurately.