Visualizing the past and engaging learners in real-world learning contexts is important for history learning. Location-based Augmented reality (AR) technologies offer new possibilities for supporting place-based learning, by tracking users’ position and superimposing layers of visual information on the real world. This paper presents a location-based AR application TongSEE that enables users to learn history in authentic context. We describe the design approaches of the interface, physical interaction, and contextual guidance of the application. Twenty participants were evaluated using the application. The results show that, in general, TongSEE is a promising educational tool that helps learners better understand the history and increase their interest in history learning. Our study contributes insights into how location-based AR technologies could be designed to support place-based learning and users’ perspective on this learning method.