Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Pagoda)
More Xi'an Tours |
This whole scenic area include the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Da Ci'en Temple, and the various squares, gardens and other facilities around.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Originally built in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Giant Wild Goose Pagoda functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang.
Xuanzang started off from Chang'an (the ancient Xi'an), along the Silk Road and through deserts, finally arriving in India, the cradle of Buddhism. Enduring 17 years and traversing 100 countries, he obtained Buddha figures, 657 kinds of sutras, and several Buddha relics. Having gotten the permission of Emperor Gaozong (628-683), Xuanzang, as the first abbot of Da Ci'en Temple, supervised the building of a pagoda inside it. With the support of royalty, he asked 50 hierarchs into the temple to translate Sanskrit in sutras into Chinese, totaling 1,335 volumes, which heralded a new era in the history of translation. Based on the journey to India, he also wrote a book entitled 'Pilgrimage to the West' in the Tang Dynasty, to which scholars attached great importance.
|
|
As for the reason why it is called Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, there is a legend. According to ancient stories of Buddhists, there were two branches, for one of which eating meat was not a taboo. One day, they couldn't find meat to buy. Upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, a monk said to himself: 'Today we have no meat. I hope the merciful Bodhisattva will give us some.' At that very moment, the leading wild goose broke its wings and fell to the ground. All the monks were startled and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious. They established a pagoda where the wild goose fell and stopped eating meat. Hence its name.
Da Ci'en Temple is the home of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. In 648, the temple is built to commemorate the dead virtuous queen, for which the status and scale far exceeded all others. Today, with an area of 50,738 square meters (12.5 acres), one seventh of the original area, it still retains its grandeur.
Before the temple, there stands a statue of hierarch Xuanzang, the meritorious hierarch. With guarding lions at both sides of the gate, the temple seems stately for lions were said to function as talismans. Entering the temple you will see two buildings - Bell Tower in the east and Drum Tower in the west. Along the central axis are arranged the Hall of Mahavira, Sermon Hall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Hall of Xuanzang Sanzang.
|
|
Related Videos of the Locals Doing Morning Exercise around the Pagoda:
Tai Chi Sword Performance
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Performance
By Bus:
Take bus no. 19, 24, 30, 34, 400, 521, 701, 44, 242, 271, 408 to North Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; or take 21, 271, 408, 601, 606 or Tourist Line 6 to South Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
By Metro:
Take Metro Line 3 & Line 4 to Dayanta Station directly.
Take Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai Station (Exit C) and walk eastward for 10 minutes.
Xi'an Bus / Metro Search
Tai Chi Sword Performance
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Performance
How to get to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Take bus no. 19, 24, 30, 34, 400, 521, 701, 44, 242, 271, 408 to North Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda; or take 21, 271, 408, 601, 606 or Tourist Line 6 to South Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
By Metro:
Take Metro Line 3 & Line 4 to Dayanta Station directly.
Take Metro Line 2 to Xiaozhai Station (Exit C) and walk eastward for 10 minutes.
Xi'an Bus / Metro Search
Ticket & Opening Hours
Ticket Price | Entrance Fee of Da Ci'en Temple: CNY 40; free for children under 1.2m (3.9 feet) and no more than 6 years old, and the elderly over 65. Ascending the Pagoda: CNY 25 Note: Those who want to ascend the pagoda should buy the entrance ticket of Da Ci'en Temple as well. |
---|---|
Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:00 |
Musical Fountain on the North Square:
Admission Fee | Free |
---|---|
Timetable | 12:00-12:10; 16:00-16:10; 19:00-19:10; 21:00-21:10 |
How to get to the surrounding scenic spots
Take bus 5, 19, 24, 26, 27, 30, 34, 400 or Tourism Bus No. 8 (610) and get off at Cuihua Road Station.
Tang Paradise
Take bus 22, 24 from Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and get off at Tang Paradise South Gate. Or take bus 21, 601 or Tourism Bus Route 8 and get off at Tang Paradise North Gate.
Qujiang Polar Ocean Park
Take bus 601 or Tourism Bus Route 8 and get off at Qujiang Polar Ocean Park.
Qujiang Pool Park
Take bus 22, 609 or Qujiang Tourist Bus to Qujiangchi Yizhi Gongyuan (Qujiang Pool Park).
Cool Cave (Hanyao)
Take bus 22 and get off at Hanyao Road West Crossing Station.
The Tomb of the Second Emperor of Qin Dynasty (The Tomb of Hu Hai)
Take bus 224 or Qujiang Tourist Bus to Qujiangchi (Qujiang Pool) and then walk east for 3 minutes there.
Great Tang All Day Mall
Just southwards Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, walk there directly.
Top 10 Things to Do in Xi'an
- Last updated on Sep. 20, 2023 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Asked by Chamaiporn from THAILAND | Feb. 19, 2024 21:40Reply
There are subway day passes available in Xi'an.
Answers (2)
Answered by Marcy | Feb. 19, 2024 22:45
00Reply
Yes. Xi'an Metro issues One-Day Pass and Three-Day at a cost of CNY 15 and CNY 40 respectively for tourists. You can buy the tickets at the service center in any metro station.
Answered by Chamaiporn | Feb. 24, 2024 01:23
00Reply
Thank you!
Asked by Angelina Lee from SINGAPORE | Jan. 04, 2024 04:04Reply
Duration of visit
How long does it take to tour?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mandy | Jan. 07, 2024 18:52
00Reply
Generally 2-3 hours are enough.
Asked by Oliver Burt from USA | Feb. 24, 2023 12:54Reply
When is the pagoda gonna open up
Answers (1)
Answered by Garry | Feb. 27, 2023 16:56
00Reply
It's open from 08:00 to 17:00.
Asked by Cathy Lane from RUSSIA | Feb. 23, 2023 12:11Reply
Can you see what is in the temple?
Answers (1)
Answered by Fiona | Feb. 26, 2023 22:55
00Reply
There is a Buhhda statue, Xuanzang's relics, the Buddhist Scriptures and so on inside.
Asked by Jack Finch from USA | Feb. 22, 2023 12:38Reply
can i go into the temple?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joseph Mccully | Feb. 22, 2023 12:44
00Reply
Yes, You can