Big Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔Dàyàn Tǎ

Why go to Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Rising above Da Ci'en Temple in southern Xi'an, this square, tapering brick pagoda has been a landmark of the city since the 7th century. The squares around it come alive at dusk, with a large musical fountain on the north side and the lantern-lit, Tang-themed promenade of Datang Everbright City stretching away to the south.

The story

The pagoda was first raised in 652 to store the Sanskrit scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, whose 17-year pilgrimage later inspired the classic novel Journey to the West.

What to see at Big Wild Goose Pagoda

• Xuanzang statue and South Square 玄奘雕塑与南广场: A bronze of the pilgrim monk stands in the square in front of the temple, a good first stop before you enter.
• Da Ci'en Temple 大慈恩寺: The Buddhist temple around the pagoda, its courtyards a calm contrast to the squares outside.
• Tripitaka Prefaces steles 大唐三藏圣教序碑: Two Tang steles at the pagoda's south doorway with texts by Emperors Taizong and Gaozong praising Xuanzang's translations, carved in the calligraphy of Chu Suiliang.
• The pagoda 大雁塔: Seven storeys of square brick, about 64 metres tall including its base; the pagoda has an internal staircase, and each level has arched openings with views of the city.
• North Square fountain 大雁塔北广场喷泉: A large water-and-music show in the square north of the pagoda, one of the reasons to arrive at dusk.

How to visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Enter the temple from the south, passing the Xuanzang statue, and visit the halls before the pagoda. After the climb, stroll to the North Square for the fountain and then walk south down Datang Everbright City. Give it two to three hours, or half a day with the avenue.

How to get to Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Take the metro to Dayanta station, or a 20-minute taxi ride from the city wall's South Gate.

Where to stay

The Yanta district around the pagoda and Datang Everbright City is the easiest base for evenings out; otherwise the Bell Tower area inside the city wall is the other good choice.

What to eat

• Biangbiang noodles biángbiáng面: Wide, hand-pulled belt noodles topped with chilli oil, garlic and vegetables.
• Yangrou paomo 羊肉泡馍: Lamb stew poured over bread that you tear into the bowl yourself.
• Hulutou 葫芦头: A Xi'an stew of pork intestines in a pale broth, eaten with torn flatbread.

Tips for visiting Big Wild Goose Pagoda

• Climbing the pagoda itself costs extra, but the views over the city repay it.
• Arrive at dusk for the evening fountain show, then stroll south with the night-time crowds.

Nearby

• Datang Everbright City 大唐不夜城 under 10 km
  A lantern-lit, Tang-themed avenue of street performers, sculptures and evening crowds
• Shaanxi History Museum 陕西历史博物馆 under 10 km
  Tang gold and silver, original tomb murals and finds from Shaanxi's Zhou, Qin and Han past
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 under 10 km
  A slender Tang brick pagoda, cracked by earthquakes, in the grounds of the Xi'an Museum
• Xi'an City Wall 西安城墙 under 10 km
  Cycle all 14 km of a Ming city wall, high above Xi'an's rooftops
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum 西安碑林博物馆 under 10 km
  Inscribed stone tablets of classics, calligraphy and Silk Road history by the south wall
• Bell Tower and Drum Tower 钟楼·鼓楼 under 10 km
  Two Ming towers at the heart of the walled city, where bell and drum once marked the day

Also within 30 km: Qujiang Polar Ocean Park 曲江海洋极地公园 (under 10 km), Tang Altar of Heaven (Tiantan Heritage Park) 唐天坛 (under 10 km), Qinglong Temple 青龙寺 (under 10 km), Shaanxi Natural History Museum 陕西自然博物馆 (under 10 km), Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall 西安事变纪念馆 (under 10 km), Yisushe Theatre 易俗社剧场 (under 10 km).

On the map

Open Big Wild Goose Pagoda on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• UNESCO World Heritage
• Wikipedia (Chinese)