| Overview | | | | The name of this pagoda also comes from ancient |
| The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an ancient building that | | | | times, of course. Stories of Buddhists tell that there |
| was built during the Tang Dynasty Period in Chang'an, | | | | is a legend behind the name 'Big Wild Goose Pagoda'. |
| which is presently known as Xi'an. This pagoda is | | | | At one point, there were two branches of Buddhists |
| well-preserved and is considered a holy place for | | | | and in one branch, eating meat was not a concern. A |
| Buddhists. There are millions of visitors to the Big Wild | | | | time came when the Buddhists who did not find it |
| Goose Pagoda in Xian each year, both Buddhists and | | | | taboo to eat meat could not find any meat for |
| tourists alike. This structure is rated as a National | | | | consumption. After searching for meat for their |
| Cultural Relic Preserve and also as an AAAA Tourist | | | | dinners and having no luck, these Buddhists saw a |
| Attraction. Those who are tourists to this area should | | | | group of big wild geese flying by them. As the |
| make sure that they visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda | | | | Buddhists were watching the geese fly over, one had |
| as well as the other two structures that are | | | | silently prayed to the Bodhisattva to be merciful and |
| associated, which are the Da Ci'en Temple and the | | | | allow them to have meat for their dinner. At the |
| North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. | | | | moment this prayer was finished, the leading goose |
| History | | | | of the flock broke his wings and fell to the ground. |
| The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built in the year of | | | | The Buddhists who were witness to this saw it as a |
| 652 A.D. during the rule of the Chinese Emperor | | | | sign from the Bodhisattva to be more pious. These |
| Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. In ancient times, this | | | | Buddhists then built the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at |
| structure functioned to collect Buddhist materials | | | | the site of the fallen goose. |
| taken from India by hierarch Xuanzang. When the Big | | | | The history behind this landmark structure is one of |
| Wild Goose Pagoda was originally constructed, it was | | | | great interest to Buddhists and others as well. If you |
| sixty meters tall and included five stores. | | | | find yourself visiting the great city of Xi'an, you |
| The modern pagoda is now nearly five meters taller | | | | should not miss the opportunity to view this ancient |
| than it once was with an additional two stories. From | | | | structure. You will find that is nothing less than |
| the outside, this building looks squarish and cone-like, | | | | breathtaking, even in its simplicity. |
| a structure type that is simple, but amazing all the | | | | Tips |
| same. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda can be considered | | | | 1. There is a daily music fountain show at the North |
| a masterpiece of Buddhist construction style. The | | | | Square of the Big Pagoda which is the largest in Asia. |
| pagoda was built with brick, which can help to explain | | | | In generally runs every 2 hours from 12.00pm though |
| why it is one of the most well preserved ancient | | | | times do vary according to season. Its free |
| buildings in the world. Once inside this pagoda, you will | | | | 2. Entrance to the Pagoda itself is from the Southern |
| find a staircase that will lead to an overlook in which | | | | Square |
| you can see much of Xi'an city. Statues of Buddha | | | | 3. There is a plethora of quality restaurants at both |
| are finely engraved on the walls throughout this | | | | the South and West squares. |
| structure. These engravings were done by the | | | | 4. The Pagoda is part of the new Qujiang Culture |
| famous artist Yan Liben, who was part of the Tang | | | | district and is nearby the both the Shaanxi History |
| Dynasty. | | | | Museum and Tang Paradise |
| Legend | | | | 5. |