The Shanghai Astronomy Museum is located at the summit of Sheshan in Songjiang (free entry to Sheshan Park), which was formerly the Sheshan Observatory established by French Catholic missionaries in 1900. The museum displays astronomical telescopes and the development of Chinese astronomy, showcasing a variety of astronomical scientific equipment, with the ‘treasure of the museum’ – a 40-centimeter refracting telescope with a history of a hundred years.
The museum is not large, mainly divided into three exhibition areas: ‘A Century of Observatory’, ‘Focusing Telescopes’, and ‘Time and Humanity’, which respectively illustrate the course of modern astronomy’s development in China, the evolution of astronomy led by the birth of telescopes for four hundred years, and the development history of time measurement and its relationship with human society and life. It is very suitable for bringing children to broaden their knowledge.
In addition, the museum also details the deeds of astronomers such as Xu Guangqi, Matteo Ricci, Cai Shangzhi (French missionary and the first director of Sheshan Observatory), Gao Pingzi, and Li Xing, while also displaying the invention, introduction, and settlement of astronomical telescopes in Shanghai.
Opening hours are all year round from 08:30 to 15:30. Preferential policies include: Children: Under 1.3 meters (not included) in height, must be accompanied by an adult, free of charge; Over 1.3 meters (inclusive) and under 18 years old (not included), discounted. Disabled people: With valid identification, free of charge. Military personnel: Active military personnel with valid identification, free of charge. Martyr’s families: With valid identification, free of charge. Retired cadres: With valid identification, free of charge. Elderly: Over 70 years old (inclusive), discounted. Students: Full-time students, discounted.
Shanghai Astronomy Museum
The Shanghai Astronomy Museum is located at the summit of Sheshan in Songjiang (free entry to Shesha[...]
