Small Wild Goose Pagoda

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is located on the central axis of the Jianfu Temple in south Xi'an. As a national AAAA scenic spot and a world heritage site, the Buddhist pagoda survives from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Tourists can learn about the history and culture of Xi'an by visiting the pagoda and the Xi'an Museum in the southwest of the temple. The pagoda is not as famous as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, but is more peaceful and tranquil. As part of the artistic heritage of Buddhist architectures of the Tang Dynasty, it witnessed how Buddhism was introduced to China and integrated with the culture of Han nationality.
 It was called “Jianfu Temple Pagoda” during the Tang and Song (960-1279) Dynasties. Its present name is closely related to the “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda”.

In the Yonghui Period (650-655) under the reign of Tang Emperor Gaozong, “Wild Goose Pagoda” was built in the Da Ci’en Temple to store the sutras which the eminent monk Xuan Zang had brought from India to Chang’an, today’s Xi'an. In the Jinglong Period (707-710) under the reign of Tang Emperor Zhongzong, “Jianfu Temple Pagoda” was built in order to store the Buddhist sutras that Monk Yi Jing had brought from India.

Because it looked like the “Wild Goose Pagoda” but was a little bit smaller, “Jianfu Temple Pagoda” was called the “Small Wild Goose Pagoda”, while the previous “Wild Goose Pagoda” in the Da Ci’en Temple became known as the “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda”. 

Small Wild Goose Pagoda

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda was built of blue bricks. Originally, it had 15 storeys, and measured about 45 meters (148 feet) in height. Because of numerous violent storms and earthquakes, the two upper storeys were destroyed. The existing 13-storey pagoda measures 43.4 meters (142.4 feet) in height.

The base of the pagoda is square, each side measuring 11.38 meters (37.34 feet). Beneath the pagoda there is an underground palace. The multi-eaves are made of overlapping bricks. The ground storey has two doors facing south and north respectively and other storeys have exquisite windows. The height and the side line length of every storey decrease progressively. So, the pagoda looks like a rectangular pyramid, with a beautiful design and perfect proportions.
 

Since its completion, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda has withstood more than 70 earthquakes, with 11 of them being highly destructive and occurring right in Xi'an. Among these numerous seismic events, the pagoda has witnessed at least three instances of cracking and healing.

The first time was in 1487, when an earthquake jolted the Xi'an region. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda developed a vertical longitudinal crack that split it from top to bottom, gaping open more than 30 cm (12 inches) wide. Yet, 34 years later, in 1521, another earthquake hit Xi'an. Against all odds, the pagoda emerged unscathed from this new quake, and the crack caused by the previous one miraculously sealed shut.

The second time was in 1556, when a massive earthquake of magnitude over 8.0 struck Shaanxi. As the epicenter, Xi'an endured catastrophic damage. During this seismic disaster, the top two floors of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda were destroyed, reducing its height from fifteen floors to thirteen, and the tower body was cracked again. Then, eight years later, in 1563, in the aftershock of another earthquake, the cracks on the pagoda's body once again vanished as if they had never been there.

The third cycle occurred in 1691, when an earthquake caused the Small Wild Goose Pagoda to crack once more. And in 1721, during another earthquake, these cracks astonishingly closed up, with a thirty-year interval between cracking and healing.

Why has the Small Wild Goose Pagoda survived countless earthquakes and even managed to repair its own cracks? It was only during its restoration that experts uncovered the secret: its foundation was not the conventional columnar type. Ancient artisans, considering the geological features of Xi'an, ingeniously constructed the pagoda's foundation into a semi-spherical rammed-earth structure. This unique design allows the pagoda to distribute the pressure it receives during an earthquake. As a result, much like a tumbler toy, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda has remained upright after experiencing many earthquakes.
 

Morning Bell Chime

The Morning Bell Chime of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda has been known as one of the “Top Eight Scenes of Xi'an” since ancient times. The original bell was built in the third year (1192) during the reign of the  Emperor Zhangzong in the Jin Dynasty. It was installed in the Jianfu Temple and tolled every morning to pray for happiness in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Now the bell hangs in the Bell Tower near the pagoda and a copy of it hangs in a steel frame in the open to be rung by tourists.
  By Bus:
Take bus No. 21, 40, 46, 224, 258, 410, 521, 700 or Tourist Line 7 and get off at Xiaoyanta (Small Wild Goose Pagoda) Station and get in through the North Gate.

 By Metro:
Take Metro Line 2, get off at Nanshaomen Station, and leave from Exit A1 or A2. Walk west about 6 minutes and get in through the North Gate.
Xi'an Bus/ Metro Search