Big Wild Goose Pagoda ( also known as Giant Wild Goose Pagoda ) is located inside Daci’en Temple, a holy place in the vibrant and growing city of Xian. It is a good place to learn about the influence of China’s Buddhism and culture.
It is an active Buddhist temple with monks chanting, working and living. Local Chinese visit the place to worship and burn joss sticks.
The temple and its surrounding area are full of life, people-watch. Its north square is home to the largest musical fountain in Asia; its south square leading to the Great Tang All Day Mall, a 1500-meter sightseeing avenue where you immersed in Tang Dynasty culture while enjoying shopping, dining, entertaining, sightseeing and business travel.
The temple and the pagoda itself takes 1 or 2 hours to visit while the whole area ( squares, gardens ,etc.) takes much longer time, providing people with wonderful free leisure and entertainment.
How to Get to Giant Goose Pagoda
Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its surrounding whole area are just located about 9 km by road south of Bell Tower, the heart of the walled Xian city.
By Taxi: About RMB 16 taking a taxi from Bell Tower
By Subway: Taking the subway line 2 and get off at the station of Xiaozhai and exit from Exit C. The walk in the east direction and get to the place ( about 470 meters walking ).
By Bus: Taking Bus 606 and 609 from Bell Tower and get off at the stop of Dayanta ( Big Wild Goose Pagoda).
After your visit to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and if time allows, you can walk to the nearby Shaanxi History Museum, about 15 minutes away. You can cover both of these attractions together in a half day tour.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Daci’en Temple
Actually the pagoda is part of Daci’en Temple, which were both originally built in Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the temple precedes the pagoda.
When we are talking about Big Wild Goose Pagoda, we are in fact talking about the temple as a whole. If you want to see the pagoda at a close distance or even climb up to the top of the pagoda, you first need to enter the temple with its entrance facing the south.
Entry fee for Daci’en Temple: RMB 50
Entry fee for Ascending Big Wild Goose Pagoda: RMB 30 ( First pay RMB 50 to enter the temple)
Opening Hours: Summer (March 16 – December 4): 08:00~17:30
Winter (December 04 – March 15 ): 08:00~17:00
Add: The southern end of Yanta Road, Hepingmenwai, Xian 西安市和平门外雁塔路南端
Tel: 029-85527958
Visit the Pagoda
It is okay to just have an outside look at the pagoda when you enter Daci’en Temple. A distant glimpse gives you a good angle to see the seven-story pagoda.
Paying 30 yuan and you are allowed to walk to the top of the Pagoda for a wonderful view of the city. The stairs are well organized with banisters.
If you are not interested in entering Daci’en Temple, you are also able to view the Pagoda while standing on the south square outside the temple, and the Pagoda is seen above the buildings in the temple, still a good photogenic spot.
Visit the Gardens and Buildings in the Temple
The 50 yuan entry fee doesn’t only allow to you to see the pagoda, it also gives you the chance to visit the beautiful gardens, valuable artifacts and magnificent buildings on the ground in the temple.
It is an active temple and many local Chinese visit the place to worship. The Buddhist Monks are chanting and working. Some of the halls displays the artifacts, telling how Buddhism was brought to China. All this gives you a feel for how life was here in the ancient time. English Signage is seen to guide you in a clear direction.
Visit the North Square ( Musical Fountain )
The north square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda ( North of Daci’en Temple ) has the largest music fountain in the world. It is better to come here in the evening when the whole place is lit up.
The construction of the huge cultural square features the Tang culture elements of Big Goose Pagoda and Daci’en Temple, combining the elements of the traditional and the modern.
Musical Fountain Opening Hours:
Weekday: 12:00, 20:00
Weekend and Public Holiday：10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00
Entry fee: 30 RMB （ but actually few people will pay since it is located in an open place)
Visit the South Square ( the statue of Monk Xuanzang )
The South Square of Big Goose Pagoda is also known as Xuanzhuang Square. Xuanzang (602 – 664) was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveller, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang dynasty.
In 652 A.D. Xuan Zang made a proposal to the court for a pagoda to be constructed inside the temple, to put the scriptures and statues he had brought back from India. The Emperor happily agreed, and also collected the funds for the building. Xuan Zang was so happy that he took part in the manual labor in the construction of the pagoda. He also took part in the design of the pagoda.
Visit the south square in the evening when the statue and the square are all lit up. Free entry.
Visit Great Tang All Day Mall (a 1500-meter sightseeing avenue)
South of the South Square of Big Goose Pagoda (Xuanzhuang Square) is Great Tang All Day Mall. The Great Tang All Day Mall is the key project to rejuvenate the great Tang Dynasty.
Check out The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall for more photos.
It is more than just a traditional mall, but a sightseeing traffic-free avenue along a 1500-meter axis from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda down to the south, linking three themed squares – Xuan Zhuang Square, Zhenuan Cultural Square and Kaiyuan Ceremony Square based the Tang Dynasty cultural backgrounds and elements.
They includes the buildings of Tang architectural style and sculptures devoted to great leaders, monks, artists, writers, poets, scientists and mathematicians of the Tang Dynasty.
Free entry and visit here in the evening when the place is illuminated.
Visit in the early Morning and in the Evening
Early in the morning you will see lots of activities like dancing, playing tai chi, etc. a nice taste of the local Xian. Come here in the evening when the whole area is illuminated.
Children Friendly
This is a huge complex of squares, temple, parks, pedestrian streets and a lively souvenir market as well. It’s all marvelously illuminated at night and full of local people, walking, dancing, etc. It has a fantastic atmosphere. Your kids definitely will like the fountain show which is truly spectacular.
Tip: Hassle-free Xian Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Xian guided tours:
Xi’an Tour
Xi’an Day Tour
Xi’an Tour Packages
Beijing Xi’an Tour
Further Readings
Beijing Xian High Speed Train Experience
Best Time to Visit Xian
How to Visit Xian in Two Days?
Xian Airport Transportation
Xian Railway Station Transportation
Xian Taxi: Xian Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Xian City Layout
Xian’s Top 7 Iconic Landmarks
Where to Stay in Xian
Top 10 Attractions in Xian
Top Things to Do for Kids in Xian
How to Visit Xian on a Budget
The Starbucks in Xian
Top Markets in Xian
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Xian
Top 10 Best Restaurants in Xian
Top 10 Souvenirs in Xian
Xian Tourist Traps, Xian Tourist Scams
How to Visit Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
How to Visit Huaqing Hot Springs in Xi’an
How to visit Muslim Quarter in Xi’an
How to Visit Xi’an City Wall
The Ramparts of Quebec City and Xian City
How to Visit Shaanxi History Museum
How to Visit Xi’an Bell Tower
How to Visit Daming Palace National Heritage Park
Top 10 Photography Spots in Xi’an
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
How to Visit Hanyang Tombs Xi’an
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show in Xian
How to Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Yaodong Cave Dwellings in Xian
How to Visit Mount Huashan
Mt.Huashan Snow Scenes Photos
How to visit Xiyue Temple
Top 10 Hostels in Xian
Top 10 Xian Luxury & Boutique Hotels
Xi’an: An Exotic City with an Undeniable Historical Depth
Best Places to See Autumn Leaves around Xian
Muslim Streets in Muslim Quarter in Xian
Hua Jue Xiang, Huajue Lane at Xian Muslim Quarter
The Night View of Great Tang All Day Mall
Xian City Wall Night View
What to do in Xian after dark
Xian’s Best Street Food
Xian Muslim Quarter Exotic Food
Xian Bar Street
Spring Festival Lantern Exhibit in Xian
Xian Terracotta Army Pictures
How to Visit Maijishan Grottoes from Xian by Train
How to Visit Hukou Waterfall
How to Visit Huangdi Mausoleum
Xian Lhasa Flight Experience (Tips, Photos & Map)
Beijing Xian Flight Experience
Datong Xian High Speed Train
Reviews on Beijing Xian Luoyang Tour
Visit Xian in January (Weather, Wear, & Tips)
Visit Xian in February
How to Visit Xian in March
Visit Xian in October
How to Visit Xian in November
Visit Xian in December
Any questions, just drop a line.