Owner: Beijing Visitor URL:http://beijingvisitor.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:06:37 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Tourist and resident information on China's capital, Beijing, for the 2008 Olympics and beyond. Site statistics:Click here
Beijing Parks 2007-04-26 02:19:26 Beijing has many beautifully landscaped parks dotted around the city, often associated with famous historic places of interest. The parks usually provide respite from the bustle of Beijing, or in some cases a refreshing look at crowds of people relaxing Beijing style.While the parks can be particularly stunning during spring as fresh blossom blooms or spring bulbs burst into flower, some people may not enjoy sharing the experience with a large proportion of the city’s population.Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills Park) offers a magnificent range of colour during autumn, enjoyed by what seems like millions of the local populace.The hike to the top takes about one hour or there is a chair lift if you are happy to queue.Meishan (Coal Hill) also known as Jingshan Gongyuan (Prospect Hill) offers great photo opportunities of the Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace.Open daily 6am-10pm. 5rmb.1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng DistrictBehai ParkA former imperial park to the north and west of the Forbid Read more:Beijing
, Parks
Olympic Medals 2007-04-21 16:44:58 The medals for the Beijing Olympic
s were unveiled in a late March ceremony held at the Capital Museum in Beijing.The medals for the 2008 Games have incorporated the design motif from "bi," an ancient piece of jade on which a dragon is drawn. In keeping with this motif, the medals have jade in them for the first time in Olympic history.The front side has the traditional Greek symbol for the Games: the goddess of victory Nike in the Panathinaikos Stadium (see left).On the reverse side, according to the official web site of the Games, "the medals are inlaid with jade with the Beijing Games emblem engraved in the metal centerpiece."The medal box, ribbons, and Olympic certificates also reflect a Chinese sensibility.The box is made out of wooden lacquer and is rectangular in shape. The four sides curve slightly, which symbolizes "heaven and earth."The ribbon moreover features a cloud pattern that has been woven onto a red strap.Last, the certificate itself is made out of silk and rice paper.
Tickets for Olympics 2008 2007-04-19 22:58:37 Oh, if you live in Beijing buying Olympic tickets is not as simple as one might think!In fact it is ridiculous!You have to register online, fine. Then you select the events you want to attend. If you choose the opening ceremony then you can only get ONE ticket.Too bad if you want to go with someone you love or know! Then if that wife or husband or lover or friend wants to go, then they have to register online too and enter the lottery system to get a ticket and take their chances where they will sit, if they get a ticket at all.Then, if you are married and have kids, I guess the kids have to enter the lottery too! The fiasco doesn't end there! If you only have one Visa card in the family and you have already bought your own tickets with that, your wife/partner/etc cannot use your Visa card to pay for the tickets, the system doesn't allow it.At this point in time I have an entry in the lottery to get an opening ceremony ticket. My wife can't even apply as we don't have another Visa Read more:Tickets
, Olympics
Beijing China A-Z 2007-04-18 16:18:19 A Accommodation, Acrobatics, Airport, Alcohol, Ancient Observatory, Art Space 798B Badaling, Banks, Bei Hai Park, Beijing
Opera, Beijing Sandwich, Bell Tower, Bicycles, Botanical GardensC Calligraphy, Capital Airport, CCTV Building, Chaoyangmen, China
Air, Chopsticks, Cloisonne, Confucius, Confucius Temple, CyclingD Dashanzi, Datun, Ditan Park, Dongcheng, Dongdan, Dongzhimen, Drum Tower, DuckE Embassies, Emperor, Eunuchs, EtiquetteF Feng Shui, Festivals, Food, Foreign Legation Quarter, Flights, Forbidden City, Fragrant HillsG Gate of Heavenly Peace, Gay, Grave Cleaning, Great Hall of the People, Great WallH Health, Hepingli, Hong Qiao Market, Hospitals, Hostels, Hotels, Hou Hai, Hu Jintao, HutongI Internet, Ice FestivalJ Jade, Jiang Zemin, JianguomenwaiK Kites, Kung FuL Lama Temple, Lao She, Lantern Festival, Little Red BookM Majong, Mandarin, Manhole Covers, Mao’s Mausoleum, May Day, Military Museum, Ming, Mingjing Yuan Eyeglasses Market, Mobile Phones, Money, MusicN National Anthem
Olympic Tickets Go on Sale 2007-04-18 16:10:42 欢迎预订奥运门票The Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic
Games (BOCOG) announced that tickets for the 2008 Games are now on sale. For those living outside China, tickets can be ordered through their own country's National Olympic Committee or "its designated ticketing agent." People in the People's Republic can order various ways.How to OrderThose in China can apply:1) through the official ticketing website,2) by calling BOCOG directly: (+86-10-952008),or 3) at designated Bank of China branches.Olympic fans who live outside of China can apply for tickets through their own National Olympic Committee or its designated ticketing agent.PhasesFor ticket buyers in China, sales will have three phases. Phase One lasts until the end of September 2007. In this phase, you have until 30 June 2007 to apply. Roughly 50% of the available tickets will go on sale in this phase.The second phase will last from October to December 2007. The remaining 50% of the tickets plus any left over Read more:Tickets
Panjiayuan Market 2007-04-14 15:14:11 Panjiayuan Market
This treasure trove of antiques, jade, beads, statues, posters, scroll painting and so on, never fails to fascinate and tempt visitors. Even some of the most hardened non-shoppers have weakened to the temptations of this market! Coffee BreakThere is one coffee stall at the rear of the market set up under one of the many shop houses. The coffee here is not first class, but it is a very welcome refreshing break or warm-up during the freezing winter shopping expeditions.Or why not leave the market for an excellent cup of coffee and snack from the helpful Klub Coffee? This local style coffee shop just north of the nearby Chaowai Furniture market serves great coffee and snacks in comfortable surrounds with cheerful, friendly service. To get there, simply turn right after crossing the road from the front gate of the market. You are now walking toward the third ring road. Continue to the playground/exercise area and turn left to walk parallel with the third ring road. You wil
Eyeglasses market 2007-04-14 15:11:32 Mingjing Yuan Eyeglasses MarketNear Panjiayaun market on the third ring road is a shopping haven for those needing a new pair of specs. Once you get there, you will find it hard to stop at just one pair! If you wear glasses, you will get some real bargains here.Recently I paid 220rmb for perscription glasses, including testing. There are prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. There are also contact lenses. Be prepared to bargain for your frames when ordering your new eye wear. If you have forgotten your prescription, they will test your eyes for you, before making up your order.Taking only 30 minutes to an hour to complete your order this is truly the way to shop for eyeglasses. If you have any problems simply take the glasses back and they will sort out the problems if you show a little patience. Some of the eye-testing people speak English. If all else fails call your Chinese friend or hotel concierge, explain your problem and they will translate for you.Hotels in BeijingBooks
Dining 2007-04-14 15:10:15 Dining
in BeijingBeijing has an incredible variety of national and international cuisine. Some of these restaurants have spectacular presentation. There are over 60,000 to choose from throughout the city.International dishes can be found in a range of excellent restaurants including Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, French and Italian.Chinese options are extensive. Food in China varies with each region and many of these are represented in Beijing. The food from China is often divided into seven main cuisines: Shandong, Cantonese, Huaiyang, Sichuan, Hunan, Shanghai and northeastern cuisine.Photographer: Russell Uebergang Beijing cuisine offers a number of unique dishes, mostly from the Qing Dynasty. Some the most famous Beijing dishes include: Beijing roast duck (Quanjude and Bianyifang), Imperial Court cuisine (Tan Family Food), Mongolian hotpot and barbecued meat.Beijing also has a range of famous snacks like dumplings, noodles, fermented soybean mild, quick-fried
Drum Tower 2007-04-13 04:37:10 The 47m-high wood, stone and tile Drum Tower
originally dates from 1272 when it was at the center of the Mongol capital.The tower was rebuilt in 1420 but has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over the ages. The tower was damaged in 1900 during fighting between Western forces and the Boxers.The building was most recently repaired in the 1980s and opened to tourists.During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) 25 drums were beaten to mark the hours of the day. On display is the large Night Watchman's Drum and several replica drums.The Drum Tower offers good views of the nearby Bell Tower and the rooftops of the hutong below.The Drum Tower and the Bell Tower together formed the time-keeping center of the ancient city in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.The Drum Tower (Gulou)Tel: 6401 2674The nearest subway station is Gulou on the Circle Line.Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Post China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Bell Tower 2007-04-13 04:34:50 The 48m brick and stone Bell Tower
stands just to the north of the Drum Tower and was built around the same time, although the present structure dates from the 18th century.The huge, 42 ton, bronze bell at the top of the tower is 10cm thick, over 500 years old and was rung to mark the time. Legend has it that the bell-maker's daughter threw herself into the molten metal to ensure a successful casting after a number of previous failings.It is thought that the bell was rung to mark the time during the night to avoid waking the capital's citizens while the drum was used to wake people up at 5am - the designated time to rise, though the evidence is contrasting and the drum may also have been beaten at night as well.There are good views from the top of the Bell Tower over the neighborhood rooftops and on a clear day the skyscrapers of downtown Beijing are also clearly visible.The square between the Drum and Bell Towers - Zhonggulou - is a pleasant, neighborhood plaza in the evening when t
Olympic Volunteers Sought 2007-04-12 09:24:28 485 days remain until China’s Coming Out party. Prior to the opening of the first Olympic
Games to be held in China, the organizing committee is scrambling to get volunteers. Web sites have been created and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) and the Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work Coordination Group are now trying to get volunteers for the Olympic and Paralympic games from outside the Chinese mainland.The BOCOG has set a goal of 100,000 volunteers: 70,000 for the Olympic Games, 30,000 for the Paralympic Games. According to the official web site of the Games, more than 410,000 applications have been received to date.In June, 2008, BOCOG will begin recruiting more than 400,000 city volunteers to help with “information, translation, first-aid and other services at 2,000 urban service stations around the competition venues and key areas of Beijing.”Online ApplicationsHong Kong residents: www.hab.gov.hkMacao residents: www.sport.gov.moChinese Taipei re Read more:Volunteers
Back Lakes Area 2007-04-11 04:45:59 If (when) the construction site that is much of Beijing becomes too much, the tour groups at the major sites—Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, etc.—too overwhelming, it is time to head to the Back Lakes
area.It is close to downtown, green, a bit funky, has a great hutong, and is quiet. And, perhaps in an odd twist of fortune, the Back Lakes area is with one exception a bit of a walk from the nearest subway stop.The Back Lakes area consists of three lakes—Xi Hai (西海), Hou Hai (后海), Qian Hai (前海)—that are strung together north of Bei Hai (北海), which is a large lake south of Dian Men Xi Daijie street.There is a lot of greenery and the buildings in the area area still on a human-scale.The hutong in the Back Lakes is well preserved and its narrow alleys make for great exploring.There are also many restaurants and bars in the area.Places to SeePrince Gong’s MansionThis is the best-preserved royal residence in Beijing. Located on Longtoujing Jie a ten
Antiques and Furniture Shopping 2007-04-08 14:20:16 ShoppingAntiques
City (Guwancheng), also known as Beijing Curio City21 Dongsanhuan Nan Lu, Chao Yang DistrictTelephone: 67747711Open 9.30am – 6.30pm dailyFor those people interested in collecting antiques, you may wish to pay a visit to Guwancheng. The prices are higher than average market prices and the vendors are more serious with the goods more likely to be genuine than ‘antiques’ in many markets. However, remember you are in China and there is always the possibility of a copy being sold.Panjiayuan Antiques MarketWest of Panjiayuan Qiao, Dongsanhuan Nan Lu, Chao Yang DistrictTelephone: 67752405Nearby to Guwancheng is Panjiayuan, a famous antique market in Beijing, also known as the dirt market. You will find many lively and interesting characters here. Be sure to bring your camera, but watch your valuables with a keen eye!This market has developed from one of vendors spreading a cloth on the ground to sell their wares to one of reproduction shop houses and huge metal roofed s Read more:Furniture
, Shopping
Art 2007-04-08 14:18:36 ArtDashanzi – Factory 798 Arts areaArt in this area is not the traditional Chinese painting of brush and ink on paper or silk, rather it is a departure from these traditions that occurred during the 20th century.Art in the Dashanzi area is innovative and contemporary in style. Art collecting has become a fashionable hobby among many, so there is a quietly, vibrant atmosphere in this area as you browse the galleries or visit the classy cafes.4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chao Yang DistrictTelephone: 64379942/3432Photographer: Russell UebergangPhotographer: Russell UebergangBus 915, 918 or 934 will take you from Dongzhimen station.This is the centre of Beijing’s art community. Factory 798 has galleries, studios, art and book shops, long with restaurants and cafes.There are many galleries to browse with frequently new exhibits. Gallery names include: Beijing Commune, Marella Gallery, Beijing Tokyo Arts Projects, the Chinese Contemporary, Star Gallery, White Space. FashionPhotographer: Russell Ueb
Factory 798 - Dashanzi 2007-04-08 14:00:41 Unfortunately it was a Monday. I had walked almost two hours from my hotel to Dashanzi, keen to spend an afternoon poring through the treasure trove of art that the Factory
798 area was said to be.Sure enough, once I found it, it was a treasure trove of sorts. However, being a Monday, about half the galleries and studios were closed.From what I had read, I was expecting something highrise and chic. I found the exact opposite: low-slung and rough - but by no means any the worse for that.The Factory 798 area is a plot of (mostly) former factories (one, full of lathes, is still full at it). Of generally rough construction, they have been painted in more garish shades of the pastels that China so loves, and are full of works of art and craft that range from the nothing special and derivative to the divinely inspired.I found the perfect presents for people back home in a ceramics shop. Many of them were too sexually themed to be appropriate for work colleagues, but I found a few pieces that
China Post 2007-04-07 09:49:00 中国邮政集团公司Befitting the Middle Kingdom, China
Post has a long history.According to its English-language site, archeological records argue that inscriptions dating from the Yin-Shang Dynasty (14th-11th centuries B.C.) point to the existence of “communication activities” similar to postal delivery.In the Zhou Dynasty, there were two methods of communication: drum and fire and, second, postal delivery by carriage or on foot. For the second type, delivery was categorized into “routine” and “emergency.”The post office as we know it today however was formally set up during the Qing Dynasty.Going back a bit, the "Post Delivery Law" of the Qin Dynasty is believed to be the first attempt at unifying postal service. It had various functions: delivery of government documents and edicts; military instruction; and so on. In order to accomplish this, road construction became a priority.Modern EraWhen China was forced to open up to the world in 1840, as a result of the Opium
Shopping 2007-04-03 07:18:07 ShoppingBeijing must be one of the world’s greatest shopping adventures! If you enjoy a treasure hunt for things such as authentic or copy labels in clothing, shoes, electronics, sunglasses, carpets, furniture, tea sets and furniture from a range of Chinese dynasties, Beijing offers all of this, and more, in modern shopping malls or local markets.A shopping experience in Beijing can range from rewarding, exciting, crazy and fun to loud, frustrating, tiring, and crowded, depending on your attitude. Expect to find more friends than you ever thought you knew, if you shop in the markets like the Silk Market ( Xiushui), Sanlitun Yashow clothing market, 3.3 Clothing market, Panjiayuan market (the famous Dirt Market) or Hong Qiao Pearl Market! Each of these markets offers an enormous range of goods for sale. You will feel a huge sense of accomplishment as you take zeros off the prices offered to you while bargaining and buying multiple items for the price of one back home.If you can’t fin Read more:Shopping
Transport 2007-04-03 07:00:28 Transport Getting around Beijing presents many issues like adventure, challenge, danger, time, cost, convenience and comfort.Photographer: Russell UebergangEach day approximately 1000 new cars enter the roads and add to the challenge of making a quick trip around town.Of course the extra cars are also adding more choking gases to the frequently gray, polluted skies of Beijing. Expect travel times around Beijing to average 12km/h if using roads. One of the bonuses of this speed is only minor accidents occur in most instances and impulsive drivers are kept more in check.TaxisPhotographer: Russell UebergangTaxis are comparatively cheap. Be sure the driver starts the metre (rarely a problem!) and remember that drivers do not expect a tip. Little English is spoken by taxi drivers so try to have the destination printed in Chinese characters to prevent misunderstandings.You may get away with saying the address in Chinese, if you know it, however, many drivers do not appear to think laterally
Prince Gong's Mansion 2007-03-29 14:58:45 恭王府Prince
Gong's Mansion
is the best-preserved royal mansion in Beijing. Located north of Beihai Lake--or east of Qianhai Lake in the Back Lakes area--the Mansion is a sprawling campus of buildings and gardens, pavilions and a lake--and a peek at a world long gone.The Mansion was built in the late 1700s for the corrupt Manchu official He Shen. The same corruption that saw him promoted and accrue tremendous riches also sealed his fate: He Shen was executed in 1799 for his excesses.Fifty years later, Emperor Xianfeng bestowed the Mansion on his brother Prince Gong--and hence the name.In the 20th century, the compound was used by nearby Furen Catholic University, and later by Beijing Normal University and the Chinese Music Academy.During the harrowing days of the Cultural Revolution it was even used for a time as a factory. At long last, in 1982, it was named a Chinese National Cultural Heritage Site. It opened its doors to tourists in the 1990s.In the warmer months, it gets very c
Rental Bicycles 2007-03-26 21:41:13 Beijing is a huge city, and traffic laws are often ignored--but cycling is still a good option, especially in the warmer months. There are moreover designated bike lanes along the sides of most roads. These lanes are fairly large and safe; still, caution should be exercised. You are not in Amsterdam.Rental
bikes can be found in many locations. The bikes pictured at right were parked in the Back Lakes area, which is a great place to ride. The parks, lakes, and hutong (narrow alleys) make for a perfect--and safe--placed to spend an afternoon.In this area there are many good restaurants and bars and shops, for those more interested in the post-ride.When you rent, if possible you should try to get a helmet and lock. If they are not available, local shops are a good and inexpensive option. Most cycle shops in Beijing do not have English-speaking staff. However, on a ride north of the Forbidden City, I needed to have my brakes adjusted and had no trouble communicating with a helpful young gu Read more:Bicycles
Confucius Temple 2007-03-26 17:02:47 West across the main road and down a hutong from the Lama Temple
is Beijing's Confucius
Temple.The second largest Confucius Temple in China after the temple in Confucius' birthplace in Qufu in Shandong Province, the Guozjian has long been neglected but is being gradually, tastefully renovated for the 2008 Olympic Games.The temple originally dates from 1302 and was Beijing's main temple honoring the great sage during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).The grounds of the temple house hundreds of inscribed stele, recording the names of successful candidates for the examinations for the imperial bureaucracy.Candidates for the exam had to undergo the rigorous procedure of being locked up in a small cubicle for 3 days while taking the examination, many of whom reportedly went mad or committed suicide during the experience.The temple grounds include a statue of Confucius and many venerable and historic cypress trees.The Imperial College (Guo
Lama Temple Yonghe Gong 2007-03-25 14:27:38 雍和宮The Lama Temple
(Yonghe Gong) is one of Beijing's most colorful and lively temples.(The images are taken on a wet and gloomy day that don't do full justice to the brightly colored, wooden buildings.)The Lama Temple resembles a Matryoshka doll as one temple and courtyard opens in to the next along a 480m north-south axis, though each successive temple hall is actually larger than the preceding one.Previously the residence of Count Yin Zhen, who became Emperor Yongzheng in 1723, his residence became known as Yonghe Palace. In 1744 after Yongzheng's death in 1735, the buildings became a lamasery staffed by monks from Tibet and Mongolia. The temple contains a golden vase which is used in the lottery to choose the Panchen Lama.The halls in the temple complex are in order the Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Lokapala), the Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonge Hall), the Hall of Everlasting Protection (Yongyou Hall), The Hall of the Wheel of Law (Falun Hall), and the the Pavilion of Ten Th
Telephones in Beijing 2007-03-23 04:49:06 Beijing is liberally dotted with public telephones - quite snazzy-looking little pods here and there - but seeing them in use is about as likely as being struck by lightning.With over 426 million cell phone users in China, to all intents and purposes the landline, especially of the public variety, seems like a thing of the past.Even visitors to Beijing will probably never need to use a public phone: if at home you use a GSM phone with a SIM card, chances are that, once unlocked, you can use it in Beijing - or anywhere in China for that matter. Cell phone repair shops are the places to go to get your cell phone unlocked and up and running once you get to Beijing.To get a SIM Card that works in Beijing click here.IP cards are available to make international or domestic calls - but never pay the face value for them. A RMB100 card shouldn't cost you more than RMB40. Most will work only from mobiles or landlines, but a few will work from public phones - so check before you buy.Finally, som Read more:Beijing
South East Corner Watchtower 2007-04-30 08:09:28 東南角樓The Ming dynasty South
-East.htm">South East
Corner Watchtower (Dongnan Jiaolou) is a massive, stone fortification not far from Beijing Train Station.Attached to the tower is a 100m long section of the original inner city walls which run into the restored Ming City Wall and park running to the west.Inside the fort's impressive red, wooden interior is the Red Gate Gallery (Tel: 6525 1005), which exhibits contemporary Chinese art. The gallery was founded in 1991 by Australian Brian Wallace.The South East Corner Watchtower was stormed by western forces during the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) and soldier's graffiti can still be seen carved into the stone walls.Access:Dongnan Jiaolou9am-5pmAdmission feeTel: 8512 1554Jianguomen or Chongwenmen Subway Stations on the Circle Line. Walk south for about 15 minutes under the railway bridge from Jianguomen Station or walk east for about 15-20 minutes along the Ming City Wall from Chongwenmen Station (Exit B).Hotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingT
Education 2007-05-05 07:08:19 Chinese schools focus on preparing students for the extremely competitive entry exams for middle school, high school and university.The curriculum is strongly orientated towards reading and writing Chinese, lots of mathematics and memorizing large amounts of textbook information. Education
is compulsory for the first nine years with six years at primary school and three years at secondary school. Children start primary school at five and a half years old and attend school for 5 days a week. The school year is nine and a half months long. Students in city schools attend school all day, whereas in the country school hours are more flexible, often only half a day long. Photography by Russell UebergangHotels in BeijingBooks on China and BeijingTagsBeijing China China Post China TravelBook the Capital Hotel Beijing Book the Beijing Downtown Holiday Inn
Tea 2007-05-04 15:16:35 As expected tea is an important part of the local drinks menu. There are many different varieties of tea available to enjoy. Whether you enjoy oolong tea, green tea, red tea (black tea) or other lesser known varieties, it is well worth taking time out to enjoy a tea ceremony to try the huge range of teas and learn a little more about the drink for which China is so famous.Just as there are markets or streets famous for buying other products in Beijing, there is also a ‘Tea Street’ where you will find tea markets and 600 tea shops selling over 500 kinds of fresh tea. Of course you will be rewarded for your visit by saving considerable money on prices offered in other tea shops found anywhere else in Beijing. Expect savings of 30-50%. This means paying around 30 rmb for half a kilo. (Remember the local “jin” equals half a kilo.) There are still the more expensive teas available where you pay prices like 200rmb per half kilo.China’s most famous green tea is Xihu Longjing Tea. It
Zhongshan Park 2007-05-05 12:44:49 Zhongshan Park is a wonderful escape into a more natural environment after visiting museums, galleries and Tiananmen Square.Spring is particularly stunning in Zhongshan Park. There are huge swathes of tulips planted throughout the park lining paths, or adding splashes of colour under avenues of trees. It really has to be seen if visiting Beijing during the spring. In addition to the stunning tulips there are also impressive displays of wisteria, bamboo and peonies. Cherry and apple blossom can also be enjoyed in the early days of spring.The park has a beautifully landscaped lake surrounded by trees and crossed by arched bridges. This area features a mix of blossom trees, bulbs and annuals to create a festive spring atmosphere which is frequently reflected in the water of the lake.If visiting the park during the May Day holiday don’t expect to be alone. The park is very popular with many Beijingers and visitors from other parts of China. At the same time you can still find a quiet are
Ancient Observatory 2007-05-16 04:48:27 北京古觀象台Built during the reign of Kublai Khan from 1437-1446, Beijing's Ancient
Observatory was first used by astrologers to predict the omens for Kublai Khan's land and sea campaigns.In the early 1600s Jesuit missionaries became the Chinese court's official scientific advisers and a collection of the Catholic order's bronze, Western-influenced, scientific instruments is on display on the roof of the building.The instruments include: an armillary sphere, an azimuth theodolite, a celestial globe, a quadrant, a sextant and a theodolite.The astrological devices were built under the supervision of various Jesuit missionary scholars to impress the Chinese rulers and are a fascinating design mix of East and West. The Jesuits also passed on the techniques of cannon-making!Special viewing events are held at the observatory on the occasion of special celestial happenings, such as comets and eclipses.AccessAncient Observatory2 Dongbiaobei Hutong, DongchengTel: 6524 2202Hours: 9am-4
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