Cheomseongdae

Cheomseongdae
Cheomseongdae (2009)
Interactive map of the Cheomseongdae area
General information
LocationGyeongju, South Korea
Coordinates35°50′05.0″N 129°13′08.4″E / 35.834722°N 129.219000°E / 35.834722; 129.219000
Completed
7th century
Height
Height9.17 m (30.1 ft)
Design and construction
Designations
Official name
Gyeongju Historic Areas
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (iii)
Designated2000
Reference no.976
Official name
Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyeongju
Designated1962-12-20
Korean name
Hangul
첨성대
Hanja
瞻星臺
RRCheomseongdae
MRCh'ŏmsŏngdae

Cheomseongdae (Korean: 첨성대; Hanja: 瞻星臺; lit. 'star-gazing tower') is an astronomical observatory in Gyeongju, South Korea. Cheomseongdae is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia, and possibly even the world. It was constructed during the Silla period, during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632–647 AD). Cheomseongdae was designated as the country's 31st national treasure on December 20, 1962. It is part of Gyeongju Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.