Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Tower

Address: Yanta District, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China (approx. site of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda)

Website: http://www.da-ci-en.org.cn/ (Da Ci’en Temple official pages)

Hours: Daily 8:00am-6:30pm (hours may vary seasonally)

Admission: Entrance to the pagoda complex approx. CNY 50-100 (varies by season and package)

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is a Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China, originally constructed in 652 CE. It is a major historic monument and a landmark of Xi’an.

The principal feature is the multi-storey brick tower standing about 64 metres high with seven visible storeys; visitors can ascend inside to a viewing gallery. The site is set within the larger Da Ci’en Temple complex with temple halls, courtyards, and museum displays related to Buddhism and the monk Xuanzang. Many visitors combine a visit with other Xi’an attractions; the tower is a focal point for photography and city views.

The pagoda was built in the mid-7th century during the Tang dynasty to house sutras and relics brought to China by the monk Xuanzang. It has been repaired and partially rebuilt several times over the centuries but retains its historic Tang-era plan and importance as a religious and cultural monument.

The pagoda sits on the southern edge of Xi’an’s central urban area within the Da Ci’en Temple grounds, a short drive from the city centre and within Xi’an’s greater urban landscape.

• Top views: Climbing the internal stair and the top gallery gives panoramic views across Xi’an, especially attractive at sunrise and sunset.
• Religious significance: The pagoda was constructed to house Buddhist texts and relics brought back by the monk Xuanzang, making it an important Buddhist site in Xi’an.

What to See#

• Pagoda tower: Located within the Da Ci’en Temple complex south of Xi’an’s city centre, the pagoda itself is a brick tower of seven storeys reaching about 64 metres in height and built with a square plan.
• Da Ci’en Temple: The surrounding Da Ci’en Temple grounds date to the Tang dynasty and include courtyards and halls that form the temple complex around the tower.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is in the Yanta District of Xi’an. Take metro Line 3 or Line 7 to Dayanta or Daci’en Park stations, then walk a short distance. Taxis and buses also serve the area; the pagoda is well signposted.

• Arrive at opening to avoid tour-bus crowds and to get clearer photos of the pagoda's terraces.
• Climb the pagoda for views across Xi'an and early-morning mist when conditions are right.
• Combine with a visit to the nearby Xi'an Museum or Da Ci'en Temple for context.