Big Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔
- Built in 652
- Pagoda 64 meters tall
- Holds sutras and images brought back from India by the Chinese monk Xuangzang (Xuan Zang)
- Temple includes large modern park
- Temple buildings of Da Ci'en date from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)
Xian's Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in memory of the Gaozong Emperor's mother, Empress Wende on the grounds of the Ci'en Si Temple.
History
The temple is associated with the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang (602-664), who traveled to India and brought back to China a number of Buddhist sutras and statues.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda houses the scriptures, sutras and texts the monk collected on his travels in the Buddhist holy land.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda has 7 storeys out of which visitors throw money for luck. The pagoda was larger at one time but was damaged in an earthquake of 1556, which also affected the related Little Wild Goose Pagoda.
The Tang Dynasty Arts Museum with a collection of historic ceramics is on the grounds of the temple.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda Access
Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a short walk from Da Yan Ta Station of line 3 of the Xi'an Metro.
Alternatively, take bus #610 from the Bell Tower or bus #609 from the South Gate of the Xian City Walls.
Hours: 8 am-6.20 pm
Xian Attractions
Other attractions in Xian include the Terracotta Army, Xian Bell Tower, Xian Drum Tower, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the Great Mosque, the Muslim Quarter, Louguantai, Shaanxi History Museum and Xian City Walls.
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