Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta)

While the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta) follows the familiar pagoda format of successive levels diminishing in size the higher they get, this solid stone tower is largely free of the frills associated with such buildings. One of Xian’s oldest structures, it was built in 652 and originally had 10 levels, though the top three were later lost in an earthquake.
The pagoda played an important role in the spread of Buddhism in China. Relics, figurines and writings associated with the Buddha were brought here from India along the Silk Road which ends in Xian. You can still see statues of the Buddha and other religious figures inside.

Practical Info

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is to the south-west of the Xian City Walls, near the Shanxi History Museum. Numerous bus routes go past the site, including tourist bus number 4.