Guanxiang Hill Park (观象山公园), formerly known as “Dabo Island East Mountain” (大鲍岛东山), stands at an elevation of 79 meters. With gentle slopes and a flat summit, the hill is adorned with lush trees and a tranquil environment, making it one of the scenic spots in old Qingdao, famously referred to as “Qingtai Kui Xiang” (穹台窥象).
This small hill has a significant connection to astronomy, as it hosts the Qingdao Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. At its peak, visitors can find the national vertical datum established by the General Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army in the 1950s. This point serves as the reference for measuring elevation across the country.
Today, Guanxiang Hill is one of Qingdao’s top ten hill parks, functioning as an open public garden. Key attractions within the park include the ruins of the observatory, the Qingdao Observatory, the People’s Republic of China vertical datum, the international longitude measurement monument, the Magnolia Pavilion (玉兰亭), the Hexagonal Pavilion (六角亭), and the Grape Corridor (葡萄廊). Visitors can enjoy both the natural beauty and historical significance of this cherished site.
Travel Information about Guanxiang Hill Park
Admission and Opening Hours
Admission Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Open all day
How to Get There
Location: No. 21, Guanxiang 2nd Road, Shinan District, Qingdao
Public Transportation:
- Take Bus No. 1 and get off at Hubei Road Station
- Take Bus No. 225 and get off at Anhui Road Station
- Take Bus No. 228 and get off at People’s Hospital Station
Attraction Ratings
- Features: ★★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Beauty: ★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Excitement: ★
Highlights of Guanxiang Hill Park
Observatory Site
The Guanxiang Observatory Site, also known as the “Royal Qingdao Observatory,” currently serves as a naval meteorological station in Qingdao. Located on the eastern side of the mountain summit, it was built in 1905. This impressive structure stands seven stories tall, reaching a height of 21.6 meters, and is constructed entirely of granite, reflecting the majestic and imposing style typical of European medieval castles.
Inside the observatory, the walls are adorned with a white jade stone tablet featuring a poem in German, expressing a soldier’s longing for his homeland. Both the building and the stone tablet have been well-preserved, making this site a unique example of German architecture in Qingdao.
Qingdao Observatory
The Qingdao Observatory, part of the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is located on the western side of Guanxiang Hill. Established in the 1930s, it is one of the birthplaces of modern astronomy in China, alongside the Shanghai Xujiahui Observatory and the Hong Kong Observatory, collectively known as the “Three Major Observatories of the Far East.”
The Qingdao Observatory has witnessed the development of China’s modern astronomical endeavors. In 1931, it inaugurated a dome observatory designed and built in China, standing 14 meters tall with a diameter of 7.8 meters, located at the peak of Guanxiang Hill. The following year, it began using the first astronomical telescope imported from Germany, with a diameter of 32 centimeters, marking a significant step toward the modernization of astronomy in China. Today, the observatory serves as an educational base for astronomical and meteorological science in Qingdao.
Gao Pingzi and the Qingdao Observatory
A visit to the Qingdao Observatory would be incomplete without mentioning the astronomer Gao Pingzi. In 1924, he, along with Jiang Bingran, officially took over the Qingdao Observatory on behalf of the Chinese government. Following the takeover, Gao and his team utilized the equipment left by the Germans to initiate time service work, marking the beginning of China’s independent engagement in timekeeping.
In 1925, Gao Pingzi conducted observations and research on sunspots using a 16-centimeter astronomical telescope inherited from the Germans. This work contributed to China’s earliest and longest-running collection of modern sunspot data.
In recognition of his significant contributions to astronomy, the International Astronomical Union named a lunar crater on the Moon after Gao Pingzi, honoring his legacy in the field of astronomy.
Leveling Datum Point
The Leveling Datum Point of the People’s Republic of China is located in the central part of the mountain pass, specifically within a deep well inside a square stone house. This point serves as the benchmark for elevation measurements across China and was established by the General Staff Headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army in 1952, holding significant military and scientific value.
The square stone house features an architectural style reminiscent of European design and was reconstructed in 1984 during the park’s renovation. Surrounding the stone house are stone pillars and railings, encompassing an area of 68 square meters. To enhance visitor experience, there is a stone lawn laid out to the south of the house, providing a space for tourists to explore and appreciate this important landmark.
International Longitude Measurement Monument
The International Longitude Measurement Monument is located on the northern slope of Guanxiang Hill and was completed in 1987. It stands as the first large-scale memorial in China’s astronomical community. The monument is 6 meters tall and features a globe embedded in its upper middle section, marked with latitude and longitude lines.
The front of the monument bears the inscription “万国经度测量纪念碑 International Longitude Measurement Monument,” written by the Chinese astronomer Zhang Yuzhe. The back of the monument is engraved with the geographical coordinates of Qingdao from the first International Longitude Measurement (1926): 120°19′ East longitude and 36°04′ North latitude.
Surrounding the monument is a circular platform with a stone pavement. In the center, there is a low stone wall, with four corresponding stone spheres in black and white on top, designed to indicate the shadow of the sun during observations. The area is richly planted with locust trees, interspersed with cedar, black pine, and flowering shrubs, creating a serene and picturesque environment.
Yulan Pavilion and Hexagonal Pavilion
Yulan Pavilion is situated on the eastern side of the entrance at the northern end of the long corridor. The pavilion features six columns, all adorned with white mosaic tiles, and its roof is covered with yellow ceramic tiles shaped like magnolia flowers. The interior has a cement finish, while the exterior is hexagonal, surrounded by black pines, cedars, and ornamental trees, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Hexagonal Pavilion is located in the southeastern green space near Yucheng Road, directly opposite the senior activity center. This pavilion is constructed from reinforced concrete and also has six columns covered with white mosaic tiles. The hexagonal eaves are topped with yellow glazed tiles, and the flooring is made of polished stone. To the east, there is a circular mountain walking path, complemented by a grassy lawn and various flowering shrubs around the pavilion, enhancing the scenic beauty of the area.
Grape Corridor
The Grape Corridor is located south of the entrance gate on Guanhai Second Road, extending southwest along the terrain. The corridor is 30 meters long and constructed from reinforced concrete, featuring open sides and polished stone pillars. Stone benches are placed between the pillars, and stone walls are embedded between the pillars at both ends of the corridor.
Despite its name, the Grape Corridor does not actually have grapevines; it was originally planned to grow grapes but has since been replaced with climbing plants. The areas on both sides of the corridor are landscaped with green belts, where wisteria and large-leafed boxwood balls are planted, surrounded by many black pines, enhancing the natural beauty of the space.