Part of the Sheshan National Tourism Park in Songjiang district of Shanghai, the Sheshan Observatory was among the first of its kind to be set up in Asia at the time. The French Christian missionaries who built the Basilica of our Lady of Sheshan are the ones responsible for erecting this building. It still stands proud on West Sheshan hill and is an active research center. Along with Xujiahui Observatory, it forms part of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.
As it is located in a famous Tourist resort in Shanghai, there are plenty options for getting there by Shanghai local transport. Plenty of buses will take visitors to Sheshan Park and metro line 9, stopping at the Sheshan station, is about a 20 minutes’ walk or short cab ride away from park entrance. Going by metro takes over an hour though if tourists are coming from downtown or beyond; many prefer to take a cab direct to the location and save precious time. The entrance to the Sheshan Observatory is charged at RMB12 and timings are from 08:00 to 16:30; in line with park general timings. There are well-maintained toilets and reasonably priced snack stands at regular intervals. Most tourists will combine a visit to the early 19th century Sheshan Basilica with this attraction, since it conveniently falls on the way up the hill to the church. Both are located within the West Sheshan Park section of Sheshan National Park. There is a smaller church next to the Observatory where regular religious services are held in contrast to the Sheshan Basilica, which is open on select days only.
Within the silver domed imposing hulk of the observatory, guests will find pictures of old directors of the observatory, engineers and workers, the original telescope and the seating station. This original telescope was bought at the turn of the 18th century in France by Father Stanislas Chevalier and shipped to Shanghai to be fit in the astronomical observatory built next to the Basilica of our Lady of Sheshan. The place works as a museum as well so there are historical pieces of equipment explaining the progression of time and space measuring instruments and the discoveries made with the help of this and other observatories in China. All are quite interesting for the science lover within. Going around and processing the display offered by the observatory can easily take up to 30 minutes but most consider it well worth it for the quality and neatness of the display. Descriptions are basic but it helps that they are in Chinese, English and French languages which makes it accessible to a wider audience.
However, the inside is not the only amazing thing about it. Though it is halfway to the top of Sheshan hill, the views of the city offered from the Observatory grounds are spectacular! Even more so on clear days, without smog or clouds. And the path leading up to it has soothing greenery that relaxes one’s soul while the observatory excites the mind.