大雁塔
A Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagoda — and the largest musical fountain in Asia surrounds it at night.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 652 AD to house Buddhist scriptures brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang — whose 17-year pilgrimage inspired the classic novel Journey to the West. The 64-metre pagoda is one of Xi'an's finest Tang Dynasty structures. The surrounding plaza has been transformed into a massive fountains complex — the water show (Wednesday–Sunday evenings) is spectacular and free.
Take Metro Line 3 to Big Wild Goose Pagoda station. The plaza surrounding the pagoda is free to enter. The pagoda itself requires a separate ticket. The fountain show (Da Tang Everbright City, 大唐芙蓉园 fountain) runs approximately 8:30pm on Wednesday–Sunday — check current schedule as it varies seasonally.
Opening Hours
Plaza: always open. Pagoda: 8:00am – 6:00pm. Fountain shows: ~8:30pm Wed–Sun.
Entry Fee
¥50 pagoda entry. Plaza and fountain show: free.
Address
1 Yanta South Road, Yanta District, Xi'an
陕西省西安市雁塔区雁塔南路1号
Show these to locals — large Chinese text designed to be read at arm's length.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去大雁塔，地址：西安市雁塔区雁塔南路1号。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Address: 1 Yanta South Road, Yanta District, Xi'an. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔) is one of Xi'an's most famous landmarks — all drivers will know it.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Take Metro Line 3 to Big Wild Goose Pagoda station (大雁塔) — exit and the pagoda plaza is immediately visible
The north plaza is free — walk in and appreciate the pagoda exterior and the fountains (off until evening)
Buy a pagoda ticket (¥50) to enter and climb the 7 floors for views over southern Xi'an
The Xuanzang memorial hall inside has sculptures and murals of the monk's India pilgrimage
Return to the plaza at 8:30pm (Wed–Sun) for the fountain show — this is one of China's most impressive free spectacles
The nearby Da Tang Everbright City (大唐不夜城) pedestrian street is worth a walk for Tang Dynasty themed architecture
The fountain show is completely free and runs on Wednesday–Sunday evenings at approximately 8:30pm — check current times.
The Da Tang Everbright City (大唐不夜城) pedestrian street adjacent to the pagoda is atmospheric in the evening.
Combine with the Shaanxi History Museum (1km northwest) for a full day in the southern cultural district.
The pagoda interior climb has 7 levels — each floor has Buddhist reliefs and the upper floors have excellent city views.
Terracotta Army
兵马俑
8,000 individually sculpted clay warriors buried 2,200 years ago to guard China's first emperor.
Explore →Xi'an City Wall
西安城墙
The most complete ancient city wall in China — 14km of Ming Dynasty ramparts, fully bikeable.
Explore →Muslim Quarter
回民街
A maze of Hui-Muslim architecture and street food — Xi'an's most atmospheric evening destination.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.