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In 1900, Field Marshal von Waldersee, as Allied Supreme Commander in China...
In 1907, all the 5 astronomical instruments were shipped to Berlin and placed on the lawn of the royal garden in Bustan Palace including 1) A New Armilla, built in 1744 2) A Celestial Globe, built in 1673 3) Altazimuth, made in 1672 4) Sexant, made in 1673 5) Azimuth Theodolite, made in 1715. It wasn’t until in 1921 did all the five pieces were returned to Beijing Ancient Observatory under the Item 131 of the Treaty of Versailles.
Plan your Beijing tour? If you have a passion for Chinese history and ancient astronomy in particular, surely you cannot afford to miss a glimpse of these magnificent astronomical instruments.
Walk up the 90 stone steps up to the 14m high castle-like square tower to view these instruments with a backdrop of modern buildings nearby, definitely giving you a strong feeling of timeline and better understanding China’s past, present and future.
The 14m high castle-like square tower that holds these 8 most magnificent astronomical instruments. Take subway line 1 and get off at the station of Jianguomen, exit from Exit C and you will see the massive tower.
Climb the 90 stone steps up to the top of the 14m high castle-like square tower
Made in 1744 for the purpose of determining true solar time as well as the right ascension difference and declination of celestial bodies.
Made in 1673 for the purpose of determining the rising and setting time and azimuth of celestial bodies as well as their altitude and azimuth at any other time.
Made in 1673 for the purpose of determining ecliptic longitude difference and latitude of celestial bodies as well the 24 Solar Terms.
Made in 1672 for the purpose of determining the azimuth of celestial bodies.
Made in 1715 for the purpose of determining the azimuth and altitude of celestial bodies.
Made in 1673 for the purpose of measuring the angular distance between two stars less than 60 apart as well as angular diameters of the sun and the moon.
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Beijing guided tours:
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