Beijing Ancient Observatory  is a pretelescopic observatory located in Beijing, China. The revolutionary tools used within this ancient observatory were built in 1442 during the Ming Dynasty, and later amended during the Qing Dynasty.

As one of the oldest observatories in the world, the Beijing Ancient Observatory grounds cover an area of 10,000 square meters. The observatory itself is located on a 15 meter tall brick platform and about 40 x 40 square meters wide, an extant portion of the old Ming Dynasty era city wall that once encircled Beijing. Several of the bronze astronomical instruments are on the platform, and other armillary spheres, sundials, and other instruments are located nearby at ground level. It is operated as a museum in affiliation with Beijing Planetarium.

The observatory is the only surviving example of several constructed during the Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties - was built between 1437 and 1446 to facilitate both astrological predictions and seafaring navigation.

Now mounted on the battlements of a watchtower lying along the line of the old Ming City Wall - the observatory dates back to Kublai Khan's days when it lay north of the present site. Khan - like later Ming and Qing emperors - relied heavily on astrologers to plan military endeavours.

At ground level is a pleasant courtyard - perfect for parking yourself on a bench and recharging. At the rear is an attractive garden with grass, sundials and an armillary sphere.

Climb the steps to the roof and see an array of Jesuit-designed astronomical instruments, embellished with sculptured bronze dragons and other Chinese flourishes - a unique mix of East and West.