If you are in X’ian to visit the Terracotta Warriors, then make sure you take some time out to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an. The city has been regarded as the official starting point of the Silk Road and is well worth a visit in its own right.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a popular tourist attraction, which is a 7th-century Buddhist Pagoda located in Xi’an, China. Built in the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories later the structure was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty.
One of the Pagoda’s many functions was to hold Sutras and Figurines of the Buddha which were brought to China from India by Xuanzang, the famous Buddhist translator and traveler. This Pagoda is having beautiful Statues of Buddha, his life, and also the depicted travel stories of Xuanzang.
The Pagoda is located in the southern part of the city and can be reached either by Bus or by Metro (Dayanta Station).
Beautiful Pagoda, big area and many seats to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
It’s a nice park to walk around, there are many sculptures around the park and lots of snack sellers as well as children’s toys. The toilet inside the park is really clean and nice. Really handy when you have young kids who need to go toilet every so often!
There’s a big water fountain area in the big park. If you are going to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, we would highly recommend doing so at night. The Great Musical Fountain and Light show are amazing and begin right at 8.30 pm daily.
Well worth making the trip as the show, which lasts a good 20 minutes, is actually pretty good. The fountains danced to classical music and some traditional Chinese singing.
The entrance to the Daci’en Temple is 50 RMB for adults. An additional fee of 30 RMB is required for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda entrance itself. We came late afternoon and thought there’ll be no ranking time to visit the pagoda so only took the entrance fee.
The complex has several buildings with different statues of Buddha and others. The feeling is very serene. People will be worshiping at the site, so you should make sure that those in your party are aware that this is a place of worship and act respectfully. If you want to get a sense of the influence of Buddhism on China, you won’t want to miss this working temple site.
We also visited the Xuanzang Memorial Hall located just behind the pagoda. The hall was built in honor of Xuanzang, and we could find a bronze statue of him, as well as many stone and wood carvings on display.
Classical Buildings & Sculptures, Ci’en Road (Opposite Bronze Statue Xuanzang)
Transportation to Big Wild Goose Pagoda
By Metro:
Take Metro Line 3 to Dayanta Station directly.
Take Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai Station (Exit C) and walk eastward for 10 minutes.
By Taxi:
It costs about CNY 30 from the Xian Railway Station to this scenic area.
Ticket Price: | Da Ci’en Temple: 50 RMB Pagoda: 30 RMB Note: Those who want to ascend the pagoda should buy the entrance ticket of Da Ci’en Temple as well. |
Opening Hours: | 8:00 – 17:00 |
Musical Fountain on the North Square:
Admission Fee | Free | |
Timetable | Jun. 10 – Oct. 5 | Mon., Wed. – Fri.: 12:00, 21:00 |
Tue.:21:00 | ||
Feb. – Jun. 9; Oct. 6 – Oct. 31 | Mon., Wed. – Fri.: 12:00, 20:30 | |
Tue.:20:30 | ||
Note: 1. Extra performances in weekends and holidays are at 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00; 2. No show from Nov. to Jan., expect the Chinese New Year Holiday |