Purple Mountain Observatory — Attraction in Nanjing City

You get here via the cable car (or trekking uphill) and there’s a stop, you then need to walk 10mins or so on a up and down path to get there. There is paid entry (not very busy so you can buy at the entrance) with not too much going on other than some observatory instruments and an odd room thing selling jewels. There is a ramp path and staircase. The view of the observatory and of the surroundings is very panoramic. I’d recommend if you have the time and want to do some extra walking but wouldn’t go out of your way just for this attraction. The top of the cable car is more scenic but this feels like a hidden gem as no one is really here. You can also hop back on the cable car with the same ticket to the top. There’s a free viewpoint just before the gates which arguably isn’t as good but is of course not costing...

It is not functioning now. It was first built in 1928, it is known as the “cradle of modern astronomy in China”. In between 1955-2013, over 600 minor planets were discovered by this observatory. The Purple Mountain cable car has a stop nearby but I still needed to walk another 100m up, however, the trail was green, tranquil and not...

When I studied in Nanjing I use to come up here basically everyday with my bike after a long ride around Zhongshan hill - best...