December 13, (jx.xinhuanet)- Yuanzhou Qiaolou, the earliest extant local observatory in China, reopened recently after more than two-year renovation.

The observatory, located in Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, was set up by Teng Qiangshu, prefect of Yuanzhou Prefecture, former name of Yichun in 1219.

According to experts, the observatory is the earliest extant local observatory in China. It could measure and report time, guide people through living and farming in ancient China.