Big Wild Goose Pagoda

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, or Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and originally had five stories, although the structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade renovated during the Ming Dynasty. One of the pagoda many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and travelers Xuanzang. Now this well-preserved holy place for Buddhist has been the symbol of Xian.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is now 64 meters high. Inscriptions of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong are situated on its south. The monk Xuanzang's statue stands in front of the temple area. From the fist five-layer structure to the seven-layer architecture now, this pagoda has experienced hundreds of year and seen the change of several dynasties, Now, it leans very perceptibly (several degrees) to the west.

Recommended Xian Tour: 4 Days Best of Xian Tour
(Attractions: Qin Terracotta Army, Xian City Wall, Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Mosque)