Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Pagoda)
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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.
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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.
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Tai Chi Sword Performance
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Performance
How to get to Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
1. Take bus 5, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 34, 41, 44, 224, 242, 271, 307, 400, 401, 408, 500, 521, 526, 527, 601, 606, 609, 701, Qujiang Tourist Bus, Huan Shan Tour Bus 1 & 2, Tourist Bus Line 6 & 8 & 9 and get off at Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) Station.
2. Dang-dang Trolley Sightseeing Bus
To have a look of the gorgeous night view in Xi'an, Dang-dang Trolley Sightseeing Bus has a night tour line which passes the 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.
By Taxi:
It costs about CNY 30 from the Xi'an Railway Station to this scenic area.
Xi'an Bus / Metro Search
Ticket Price: | Entrance Fee of Da Ci'en Temple: CNY 40 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: | 8:00 - 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. |
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.

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.

Take bus 601 or Tourism Bus Route 8 and get off at Qujiang Polar Ocean Park.

Take bus 22, 609 or Qujiang Tourist Bus to Qujiangchi Yizhi Gongyuan (Qujiang Pool Park).

Take bus 22 and get off at Hanyao Road West Crossing Station.

Take bus 224 or Qujiang Tourist Bus to Qujiangchi (Qujiang Pool) and then walk east for 3 minutes there.

- Last modified on Sep. 16, 2019 -
Questions & Answers on Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Asked by Egor from RUSSIA | Apr. 23, 2019 01:01
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Hi, I am going to visit xian giant wild goose pagoda at 1 May.
My question is would I be able to see the show, or it is still suspended
Answers (1)
Answered by Luke from DENMARK | Apr. 24, 2019 23:28
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The news says that the show will reopen from May 1st.
Asked by Patrick from GERMANY | Feb. 21, 2019 01:39
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When does the fountain show of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda starts on 16th March this year?
Thanks.
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Answered by Quinn from FRANCE | Feb. 21, 2019 22:19
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The performance schedules are 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 20:30.
Asked by Ayomi Perera from SRI LANKA | Nov. 28, 2018 07:20
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Is there a show of Xi'an Giant Wild Goose Pagoda on Thursday in March 2019?
Answers (1)
Answered by Tanner from SINGAPORE | Nov. 28, 2018 18:32
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Do you mean the fountain performance? It would be showed every day. The show time schedules are 12:00 and 20:30 on Thursday in March of 2019.
Asked by nuttaphon from THAILAND | Sep. 21, 2017 12:30
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There is no show from November to the next January except the Chinese New Year Holiday.
Hello
From your website " Musical Fountain on the North Square: * Note: There is no show from November to the next January except the Chinese New Year Holiday."
Many people asked you still can see it on Nov , Dec or Jan or not and you said YES. So I am so confused now .
I am going to in mid Dec . if I still can see it , may i have show schedule on Dec ?
thank you
From your website " Musical Fountain on the North Square: * Note: There is no show from November to the next January except the Chinese New Year Holiday."
Many people asked you still can see it on Nov , Dec or Jan or not and you said YES. So I am so confused now .
I am going to in mid Dec . if I still can see it , may i have show schedule on Dec ?
thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Vivian from FRANCE | Sep. 25, 2017 02:16
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Generally, it will stop from Nov. to next Jan. but the show will be on during the Chinese New Year.