A 64-meter Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda built in 652 AD to house scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, still standing within an active temple.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda rises 64 meters within the grounds of Da Ci'en Temple in Yanta District, built in 652 AD under the Tang dynasty at the request of the monk Xuanzang to store the Buddhist scriptures, relics, and statues he brought back from a 17-year overland journey to India, a pilgrimage later fictionalized in the classic novel Journey to the West. The pagoda's current form, a square brick tower of seven visible stories rebuilt and heightened over the Tang and later dynasties, tapers gently toward its summit and remains one of the best-preserved brick pagodas from the Tang period, having survived earthquakes that leveled much of the surrounding city over the centuries. Xuanzang himself directed some of the translation work on Sanskrit texts inside the temple after the pagoda's completion, and a statue of the monk stands in the temple courtyard. Visitors can climb the narrow internal staircase to the top for views over the surrounding Yanta District and, on clear days, toward the Qinling Mountains to the south; each level's windows frame a different angle of the temple courtyard and modern city below. The temple grounds beyond the pagoda include halls with Buddhist statuary, incense-burning courtyards, and a bell and drum pavilion, and remain an active place of worship rather than a purely historical site. Just outside the temple's south and north gates, the surrounding plazas have been developed into major public spaces: the North Square holds Asia's largest musical fountain, with a free evening water-and-light show synchronized to music that draws large local crowds nightly, while the South Square and adjoining Datang Everbright City pedestrian district offer Tang-dynasty-themed architecture, shops, and street performers, especially lively after dark. A focused visit to the pagoda and temple grounds alone takes about 1.5 hours; adding the fountain show or a walk through the surrounding squares extends this to 2.5 hours or more. Mornings are quietest inside the temple itself, while the North Square fountain show, held at scheduled intervals in the evening, is by far the busiest single draw in the area.
| Admission | Adult Da Ci'en Temple grounds ¥10 (~$1.40); climbing the pagoda tower an additional ¥25-30 (~$3.50-4.20) · Child Discounted rate for students with ID; young children generally free for grounds entry |
|---|---|
| Hours | Temple grounds 8:30 AM-6:00 PM (later closing in peak season); pagoda tower climb typically 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time | Morning for quieter temple grounds, or evening for the free musical fountain show in North Square |
| Getting there | Metro Line 3 or Line 4, Dayanta Station, then a short walk to the South Square entrance |
| Address | No. 1 Ci'en Road, Yanta District, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China (inside Da Ci'en Temple) |
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Location
No. 1 Ci'en Road, Yanta District, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China (inside Da Ci'en Temple)
34.2183, 108.9601 View on map
Highlights
- 64-meter Tang-dynasty brick pagoda built to house scriptures from Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India
- Climbable interior staircase with views over Yanta District and the Qinling Mountains
- Active Buddhist temple grounds with statuary halls and incense courtyards
- Asia's largest musical fountain in the free North Square evening show
- Datang Everbright City Tang-style pedestrian district at the South Square
Tips for visiting
- Buy the temple grounds ticket separately from the pagoda tower-climbing ticket; both are needed to go inside and up
- Visit the temple in the morning for a quieter, more contemplative experience before tour groups arrive
- Time an evening visit to catch the free musical fountain show in the North Square; check the day's showtimes posted on-site
- Combine with a walk through Datang Everbright City at the South Square, especially atmospheric after dark
- Wear comfortable shoes for the narrow, steep pagoda staircase if climbing to the top
- The temple remains active, so keep voices low and dress modestly in the prayer halls
When to visit
Morning for a quieter temple visit, or early evening timed to the free musical fountain show in the North Square just outside the temple gates.
Accessibility
The temple grounds are paved and mostly level, making them accessible for visitors with limited mobility, but the pagoda's interior staircase is narrow, steep, and not wheelchair accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda take?
The pagoda and temple grounds alone take about 1.5 hours; adding the surrounding squares and fountain show extends a visit to 2.5 hours or more.
Is it worth visiting with kids?
Yes, the pagoda climb and especially the free evening musical fountain show in North Square are popular with families.
Is photography allowed inside the pagoda?
Photography is generally allowed on the temple grounds and pagoda exterior; some interior prayer halls restrict photography of statues.
Do you need a separate ticket to climb the pagoda?
Yes, climbing to the top requires an additional ticket beyond the basic Da Ci'en Temple grounds entry.