Small Wild Goose Pagoda Tower

Address: Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Yanta District, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is an early Tang dynasty Buddhist pagoda in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Construction began in 707 AD and it forms part of the Jianfu Temple complex.

A multi-storey brick pagoda standing roughly 43.4 metres tall is the central feature, set within temple grounds and accompanied by exhibition material about its religious and architectural significance. It is visited as an example of Tang-era pagoda architecture and for its quieter atmosphere compared with larger Xi’an monuments.

Built in the early 8th century to house Buddhist texts and relics brought to China during the Tang period, the pagoda has undergone repair and reinforcement following historical earthquakes and centuries of use. It retains its original role as a temple monument and historic landmark.

The pagoda is located in the city of Xi’an in Shaanxi province, within the ancient urban area historically associated with imperial China and major Tang-period Buddhist sites.

• Date and height: Construction began in 707 AD during the Tang dynasty and the tower stands at approximately 43.4 metres tall. It is part of the Jianfu Temple complex in Xi’an.
• Context: Smaller than the nearby Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it remains an important Tang-period monument and Buddhist site in Xi’an.

• Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the mid-day tour groups and Xi'an's summer heat - light at these times is also best for photos of the pagoda from the temple grounds.
• Combine your visit with the nearby Shaanxi History Museum (a short walk away) - reserve the museum's timed entry separately in advance to make the most of the area while it's less crowded.
• Explore the surrounding Jianfu Temple park rather than just the tower itself; the quieter paths give better views and compositions of the pagoda away from the busiest viewpoints.