Xi'an, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Day 2 in Xi’an, I walked along Yanta South Road. After passing a few blocks and shopping malls, I began to see the tall pagoda from afar. It appeared to be surrounded by mist or was it vehicle fumes?

 

Statue of Xuanzang and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

 

My tour guide told me the story why the pagoda is called the Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built during the Tang Dynasty in 652, its structure was rebuilt in 740 and its exterior brick facade was renovated during the Ming Dynasty.

Anyway, this pagoda was designed by Buddhist monk called Xuanzang, on the request of the Emperor who ruled China at that time. When the Emperor asked his suggestion on how to name this pagoda, he came up with Wild Goose Pagoda.

 

My signature jumping pic!

 

Xuanzang used to travel between China and India. When he was in India, he had strange experience with the wild geese. There was a group of wild geese flying in the sky and dropped him food when he was hungry. This experience remained deeply in his heart.

Now, Xuanzang’s statue that was built at the big public square at the entrance of the pagoda attracts visitors’ attention.

 

 

There are two things that we can do when visiting this pagoda, actually three things.

First, enjoying the public square outside the pagoda where Xuanyang’s statue is. Take nice pics with background of his statue and the giant tall pagoda at the back. So your selfie pic includes two wonderful things at once!

 

A man flying his kite at the public square outside the pagoda

 

Second, buy an entrance fee of 50 RMB and see the pagoda closely. Walk around the big pagoda complex with nice gardens.  

Room with many monks and visitors praying

Entering the temple, there are two buildings-Bell Tower in the east and Drum Tower in the west. Inside the Bell Tower, there is a heavy iron bell of 15 tons.  

Wall of ceramics with history of Buddha

 

Walk further to see other building in the complex, there is praying hall and we still can see monks doing the activities. Pray, there are many visitors coming here to pray...

 

Inside the praying room

Third, buy another entrance fee to enter the pagoda and climb up to the seventh floor. The 360 degree view of Xi’an from the top of the pagoda is amusing.

Stairs to go up/down inside the pagoda

Last but not least, the largest musical fountain in Asia can be found the pagoda. Size of the public square is around 15,000 sqm. The musical fountain entertains people at least twice a day, at 12 noon and 9 pm, and more schedule on weekend and holidays. Come in the evening, the music and lights combine with the fountain performance make it more attractive than the daytime. 

Musical fountain area (day view)

Enjoy the nice weather of Xi’an. Summer in June is hot during the day (30 degree Celsius) however with the breeze in the evening, the weather is just perfect.

 …. What’s the next story? Another holy place in Xi’an…