Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Xi’an, which used to be Chang’an City in prosperous Tang Dynasty, is rich in tourist attraction. Besides the Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is another must-see site, which has been rated as an AAAA Tourist attraction and also a National Key Cultural Relics Preserve.

Located in the southern suburb of Xian in Shaanxi province, about 4 kilometers from the downtown of the city, The Big wild Goose Pagoda is a well-maintained holy site of the Buddhism. The original purpose to built the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is to store and translate the Sanskrit Buddhist scriptures that brought by the prominent Buddhist scholar Xuanzang who walked along the Silk Road from Chang’an now it is Xi’an to India ,the cradle of Buddhism, spending 17years on traveling 100 countries and suffering numerous difficulties. One of the world famous classics” The Journey To The West” is based on the pursuit of Xuanzang. After his returning, he planed to build a stone pagoda to translate Sanskrit in sutras into Chinese, totaling 1,335 volumes, but it was difficult to find the proper stone so he decided to build a mud pagoda which was 5 storeys with 60meters in height. However, it was not strong enough and finally collapsed. During 701 to 704, the empress Wu Ze Tian order to rebuilt it to 10-storey pagoda. Unfortunately, because of wars, it was almost destroyed to ruins. The present pagoda is 7-storey with 64 meters high. The pagoda tapers sharply from the first storey up, which is very similar to the pyramid in Egypt. And such a structure makes the pagoda stand firmly. Wooden steps and flooring inside allow people to go to the top and enjoy the splendid panorama of Xi'an. It is said that in the past, those who had passed the imperial examinations always went there to inscribe their names and ambitions on the pagoda. As a result, in front of the pagoda there were numerous tablets inscribed by those who had passed the imperial examinations in Shaanxi for more than a thousand years, from the Tang to the Qing Dynasty.Talking of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it is necessary to mention the Da Ci’en Temple.The majestic Da Ci'en Temple was built by crown prince Lizhi in the honor of his mother. With its splendor and glory the temple is much better than all other structures. In front of it you will notice the marvelous statue of the Emperor Xuanzang. Reaching the temple entrance, you will have to cross a small bridge. You will certainly appreciate the figures of the lions guarding the temple. Within this temple are housed the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. It features the Hall of Mahavira, Sermon Hall and Hall of Xuanzang Sanzang. Each of these halls is adorned with excellent artworks.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda

One of the other must-see sites when you visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Covering an area of 110,000 square meters and adds to 20,000 square meters of water area, it is the biggest fountain square in Asia and the height of fountains can be changed with music .Beautiful gardens and the tourist paths bring more charming enjoyment to the tourists. It is one of the hottest attractions of Xi’an and the tourists who visit Xi’an are unwilling to miss such a charming palace.

China Attraction Guide