Dengfeng Observatory

This observatory, built in the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1370), is the oldest well-preserved observatory in China. It enjoys a high reputation in the world for being of great significance in the study of the development of world’s astronomy and architecture.

The astronomer Guo Shoujing (1231-1314) designed this particular observatory in 1276, at the beginning of the Yuan period. The building is an angular construction made of brick and stone and stands 9.46 m high. A 31.9-meter-long stone rod stretches out in front of the building and is used to measure the sun's shadow. Based upon his own diagrams and with the aid of information collected by other observatories, Guo Shoujing worked out a calendar that corresponds to the present-day Gregorian calendar. A calculation that he made of the amount of time that it takes the earth to revolve around the sun was off by only 26 seconds. 
 
This centuries old observatory is still of great value in the observation of the astronomy, from where you can have a try by using the ancient instruments to learn how the astronomers study the astronomy in the ancient time. 

Opening Hours: 8:00 -- 18:00
Ticket Price: 40 CNY
Location: Gaocheng Town, Dengfeng County, Zhengzhou
Transportation: Bus and tour bus will bring you here directly