Central Shaanxi

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Travel Guide

Great Ci'en Temple · Xuanzang Translation Site · Wild Goose Pagoda Square

The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is the most stable landmark in Xi'an: it was built by Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty to house the scriptures and statues brought back from India by Xuanzang. The seven-story brick pagoda has a pavilion-style structure, simple to the point of stubbornness. Beneath the pagoda is the Great Ci'en Temple, and to the north of the pagoda is the largest musical fountain square in Asia.

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Destination Details

Key facts

Best seasonAll year round, the night view is especially beautiful.

Suggested stay1.5–2 hours

Key highlightsGiant Wild Goose Pagoda · Daci'en Temple · Yanta North Square Musical Fountain

Climb the towerAdditional admission fee, narrow stairs, long queues during peak season

SurroundingsQujiang Pool, Tang Paradise, Shaanxi History Museum

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is located in the Qujiang area in the south of Xi'an, and it is the most complete landmark preserved from the Tang Chang'an city. After Xuanzang returned to Chang'an following his seventeen-year journey to the West, he presided over the translation workshop at the Da Ci'en Temple. To store the Sanskrit scriptures and Buddha statues he brought back, the pagoda was constructed in the third year of the Yonghui era. Later, it became the site of the "Wild Goose Pagoda Inscriptions"—newly graduated Tang dynasty scholars would climb the pagoda to inscribe their names, which was the most prestigious event of the year.

Main Highlights

The Pagoda and Climbing

The seven-story square brick tower reaches approximately 64 meters in height, with a base length of 25 meters per side. The design of the pagoda is modest, looking simple, but its proportions are very precise. Climbing the pagoda requires a separate ticket; the wooden stairs are narrow and steep, and queues may form when it is crowded. From the top, you can see the Qujiang area and the outline of the distant city walls.

Da Ci'en Temple

The temple is a later reconstruction, with a well-organized layout. After entering the main gate and following the central axis, you will pass the Great Buddha Hall and the Dharma Hall, with the pagoda at the end. In the Xuanzang Sanzang Courtyard, there is a large set of reliefs depicting scenes from the journey to obtain scriptures, which is recommended to view before climbing the pagoda.

North Square of the Wild Goose Pagoda

The square north of the pagoda has one of Asia's largest musical fountains, with an evening light show. After watching, you can take a walk around Qujiang Pool, forming a nighttime tour route together with the Tang Paradise.

Suggested Stay

For only the pagoda and temple: 1.5 hours is sufficient.
Including climbing the pagoda and visiting the square: 2–3 hours.
Night tour combination: climb the pagoda in the evening → North Square fountain → Tang Paradise.

Local Tips

Pagoda tickets and temple tickets are sold separately and are clearly indicated on site.
The musical fountain has fixed showtimes, so check the schedule for the day before visiting.
Food in the Qujiang area is comparatively priced like a tourist spot; for local flavors, head into the city.