Zhang Hongqi is a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory. He observed the eclipse in East China's Zhejiang Province with a number of foreign astronomers.

"The total eclipse lasted more than five minutes here despite a few clouds in the sky. The National Astronomical Observatory will analyze all aspects of the eclipse, including the optical spectrum, imaging, solar radio emission, etc. Observation is good. But we will wait for further analysis."

China holds one of the world's earliest celestial records of a solar eclipse. The ancient Shangshu, or Book of Documents, recorded a story of a solar eclipse from the Xia Dynasty over 4,000 years ago.

In other parts of Asia, the eclipse was seen first in the eastern city of Gauhati in India.

Large crowds gathered at the banks of the river Ganges in the Indian city of Varanasi to offer prayers during the eclipse.

Children packed rooftops in Seoul and Tokyo to view the historic event.

"I feel sorry for the sun. But it's fine since the sun's coming back to its shape when the moon starts to move out of the sun's way."

"I was hoping to see a partial eclipse. So, I am bit depressed that I could not see it because of the crowd."

The eclipse was visible last from land at Nikumaroro Island in the South Pacific nation of Kiribati.