Big Wild Goose Pagoda: History and Travel Essentials

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of Xi'an's most impressive and must-visit structures. Also known as “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda” and “Dayan Pagoda," this temple dates back to the 7th century and was restored during the Ming Dynasty. This enduring symbol of the Tang Dynasty's iconic style will certainly be one of the highlights of your Xi'an visit, and this guide will give you everything you need to take it all in.

The Pagoda and the statue of XuanzangThe Pagoda and the statue of Xuanzang

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is the largest and best-preserved example of a Tang Dynasty pavilion-style pagoda. It was built to house valuable Buddhist statues and relics acquired from ancient India, dating back to the time of Empress Wu Zetian. Today, it stands as a symbol of her devotion to Buddhism and Tang artistry and design.

The Ming Dynasty restored the pagoda's brick exterior during their reign. It stands seven stories tall, or 210 feet, and is an imposing structure that visitors can climb and explore. Inside, you'll find scripts, carvings, and relics highlighting the Tang Dynasty's devotion to Buddha and helping you better understand the region's culture and history.

Pagoda Structure and Layout

One of the biggest draws of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is the fact that visitors can step inside and experience rare history.

The first floor houses historic carved tablets, and the second features a Sakyamuni Buddha. The third and fourth floors contain ancient texts and relics, and the fifth floor features Tang Dynasty art in the form of lotus-patterned architecture. The sixth and seventh floors offer a panoramic view of the Da Ci'en temple complex, where you can enjoy a glimpse of the Tang Paradise and the Musical Fountain and get some phenomenal photographs.

Climbing Big Wild Goose Pagoda is just one of the many things to do in the Da Ci'en temple complex and surrounding area, so you'll have plenty more activities to occupy your day. There's something for everyone, from ancient temple ruins to a fabulous musical fountain show.

Visit Da Ci'en Temple

The Gate of the Tang Ci'en TempleThe Gate of the Tang Ci'en Temple

While Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the highlight of the temple complex, the rest of Da Ci'en Temple is certainly well worth exploring. You'll find several Buddha statues, peaceful courtyards, and other notable buildings, including the Hall of Xuanzang Sanzang, the monk who originally brought the Buddhist relics to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Hall of Mahavira. Spanning 12.5 acres, this temple complex takes some time to walk around, so good shoes are a must.

See the Musical Fountain Show in North Square

The Musical Fountain Show at nightThe Musical Fountain Show at night

The North Square's free musical fountain show is an absolute must-do, where visitors can see the water dance to captivating music. Comprised of multiple water features, the fountain dances in twenty-two patterns in perfectly choreographed movement and is a true spectacle of light and sound. It's the largest musician fountain in Asia and a delight to experience.

Showtimes are as follows: It's important to remember that the 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. performances are canceled every Tuesday for equipment maintenance.

  • First Show: 12 p.m. to 12:10 p.m. (every day except Tuesday)
  • Second Show: 4 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. (every day except Tuesday)
  • Third Show: 7 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.
  • Fourth Show: 9 p.m. to 9:10 p.m.

Enjoy the Tang Ci'en Temple Site Park

The Tang Ci'en Temple Site ParkThe Tang Ci'en Temple Site Park

The nearby Tang Ci'en Temple Site Park is free to visit and contains important relics from the temple's past. Locals often visit to practice Tai Chi, and you can stroll through this serene place and see lovely gardens and statues that tell the story of how the Big Wild Goose Pagoda came to be.

Stroll Through the Vibrant Tang Paradise Night City

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright CityGrand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City

Visitors can step back in time to the Tang Dynasty at Tang Paradise Park, a 165-acre immersive experience celebrating nearly 300 years of Tang rule. Separated into several themed sections that showcase different aspects of Tang culture, this park is especially stunning after sunset, when the buildings are beautifully lit.

Visitors will also enjoy live performances, the chance to practice calligraphy, dressing in Hanfu for photographs, and excellent food as they explore this fascinating snapshot of Chinese royalty.

There are several ways to enjoy the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. If you're short on time, you can see the impressive exterior and get great photographs from the square without purchasing a ticket to Da Ci'en Temple or the pagoda itself.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda has 256 steps, so wearing the proper footwear is essential. There is plenty of walking in the Da Ci'en Temple, too. Since much of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda temple area is outside, you'll want to bring water with you, especially if the weather is warm. The best times of the year to visit are spring, when the gardens are blooming, and autumn, when you can see plenty of persimmon trees.

Consider arriving at the temple complex early or later in the day to avoid crowds. Then, plan to stop by the evening water show to end your day on a high note.

Costs and Opening Times

Big Wild Goose Pagoda,Xi'anBig Wild Goose Pagoda,Xi'an

It costs 30 RMB to visit the Da Ci'en Temple and an extra 25 RMB to climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. We can help arrange transportation to the temple complex, or you can take Metro Line 3 to Dayanta Station and walk to the pagoda.

The Da Ci'en Temple complex opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m., but the Big Wild Goose Pagoda does not open until 9 a.m. If you arrive early, simply spend a little time strolling the grounds before heading to the pagoda. You can see the temple complex, pagoda, and grounds in about two hours, but plan for longer if you want to visit Tang Paradise.

A Note on Small Wild Goose Pagoda

When visiting, it's important to remember that there are two similarly named pagodas near Xi'an. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is also a relic from the Tang Dynasty, located in the Jianfu Temple in the southern part of the city.

Explore a Tang Relic With Deep Spiritual Significance

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is a stunning example of Tang architecture and culture, with plenty of spiritual relics. It will certainly be one of the most unique and meaningful aspects of your visit to Xi'an. At China Odyssey Tours, we're happy to create a fully personalized itinerary that will make your vacation dreams a reality. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com to get started today.

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