The Zi-ka-wei Observatory，established in 1872，consists of a meteorological observatory，a seismic observatory，a geomagnetic observatory and an astronomical observatory. But until the early years of the Republic of China，it was difficult to recognize these institutions for people in Shanghai district. This reflects the fact that astronomy and meteorology are indistinguishable in traditional China. In late 19th century，a group of traditional scholars who went abroad generally failed to fully understand the important role of this modern scientific institution. However，the actual experience of life abroad still caused scholars to notice the difference in meteorological concepts between China and the West. They also tried to absorb the knowledge of modern meteorology and paid attention to modern systems of weather forecasting. In late Qing period，foreigners had set up modern meteorological stations in China，and the Chinese scholars had gone abroad and thus had actual experience of foreign meteorological institutions，but neither of these two facts caused the Chinese society to pay substantial attention to modern meteorology，this may reflect the length and complexity of the modern transformation of meteorological concept in Chinese society.