Beijing’s planetarium existed more than 550 years if dating from the origin of Beijing Ancient Observatory, which still stands near the Jianguomen Overpass.

When Beijingers mention the Beijing Planetarium, they mean two parts: One is Beijing’s Ancient Observatory and the other is the old Beijing Planetarium in Xizhimenwai Dajie.

It now increases to three, with the newly completed Beijing Planetarium, set beside the old one of the same name.

The history of the three planetariums offers a clear understanding of China’s astronomical prowess over the past 600 years.

Beginning in the 1400s, astronomers erected large instruments in Beijing to enable them to measure the positions of stars and planets with increasing accuracy. Pre-telescopic observatories in China date back before recorded history, providing measurements that helped to determine when to plant crops, how to navigate ships, and when religious ceremonies should occur.

Initially, a watching star platform was built on the top of a hill in Nanjing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty at that time. Later, an observatory was built on the city wall of Beijing during the Ming Dynasty and was also called a watching star platform.’

The Observatory was opened to the public with the name of “Beijing Ancient Astronomical Instruments Display Hall” in 1956. After around 1959, however, the Observatory was used as offices.

In 1983, the Ancient Observatory reopened to tourists as a museum.

The observatory now covers an area of about 10,000 square metres. It consists of a 10-metre high brick watching star platform’ and some buildings under the platform.

Several of the large, ancient, bronze astronomical devices on display are well worth looking at. They reflect a high level of complexity in terms of their construction, and they are also extraordinarily accurate for practical observation.

Some of them could still be used for accurate measurements today.

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, when the ‘Allied Forces of Eight Powers’ invaded Beijing, the French and Germans stole some of the instruments, but at the end of World War 1, the instruments were returned to China.

The planetarium at Xizhimenwai Dajie was built in the early 1950s and opened in 1957 for astronomical education, as well as a travel site for visitors.

It boasts the longest tradition among China’s star theatres, equipped with a Carl Zeiss UPP projector. From the beginning, the planetarium played a nationwide leading role in astronomical education, and many textbooks, audiovisual aids and scientific works were prepared and published here. In 1976 the UPP was replaced with a projector made in China in the characteristic Zeiss ‘dumbbell,’ or ant, design.

The new Beijing Planetarium opening last week added many high-tech facilities, reflecting the progress of human beings in astronomy over the past century. The new planetarium particularly stresses being a recreational place for both children and adults.

To get to the Beijing Ancient Observatory: Take bus routes 1, 4, 122 or 9, or take the subway to Jiangguomen station. The observatory is about 200 metres south of the northwest exit of the station.

Ticket: 10 yuan (US$1.2)

Open hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm, daily.

To get to the old and new Beijing planetariums: Take bus routes 5, 7, 15, 19, 27, 45, 332, 347, 360, 102, 105, 107, 111. They are two kilometres west of Xizhimen station.

Open hours: 9 am to 5 pm.

Tickets for old planetarium: 15 yuan (US$2).

Ticket for new planetarium: 10 yuan (US$1.2) for adult and 5 yuan (US$0.6) for children and students, for Solar exhibition hall; 45 yuan (US$5.4) for adult and 35 yuan (US$4.2) for children and students, for Digital Universe Theatre; 30 yuan (US$3.6) for adult and 20 yuan (US$2.5) for children and students, for 3D Vertical Cinema; 30 yuan (US$3.6) for adult and 20 yuan (US$2.5) for children and students, for 4D Theatre.

Open hours: 9 am to 5 pm, daily.