The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is a 1,370-year-old Buddhist tower in Xian, and you can visit it for around 40-50 RMB to enter the temple grounds, plus roughly 25-30 RMB more if you want to climb inside. It sits inside the Da Ci’en Temple complex, about 4 km south of the old city walls, and it is one of the easiest big sights in China to reach on foot from a metro stop.
Here is the part most guides bury: the free music fountain show in the North Square is often better than the pagoda climb itself, and it does not cost a cent.
The pagoda was built in 652 AD to hold Buddhist scriptures the monk Xuanzang carried back from India. That is the same journey that inspired the classic novel Journey to the West. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the symbol of Xian.
This guide gives you the current 2026 prices, hours, and a simple plan so you skip the crowds, know exactly what to buy, and do not overpay at the gate.
Key Takeaways
- Two separate tickets: Da Ci’en Temple entry (~40-50 RMB) and an extra fee to climb the pagoda (~25-30 RMB). You pay to enter the grounds even if you do not climb.
- The pagoda is 64.5 m tall with 7 floors; a narrow interior staircase, no elevator.
- The North Square music fountain show is free and runs most days at set times (usually around noon and evening).
- Take Metro Line 3 or Line 4 to Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) station; it is a 5-10 minute walk.
- Budget 2-3 hours, or a half-day if you add the fountain and nearby Datang Everbright City.
Why the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda matters
This is not just an old tower. It is the reason Xian calls itself the start of the Silk Road.
The monk Xuanzang spent 17 years traveling to India and back, then returned to Chang’an (old Xian) with hundreds of Buddhist texts. He asked the Tang emperor to build a pagoda to store and translate them. The first version went up in 652 AD.
The current brick structure stands 64.5 meters (about 210 feet) tall across 7 floors. It leans very slightly, which locals have joked about for centuries, but it has survived earthquakes for over 1,300 years.
In 2014, UNESCO added the pagoda to its World Heritage list as part of the "Silk Roads: Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor" route. That puts it in the same class as the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army for historical weight.
For a first-time visitor, the takeaway is simple. You are standing where Chinese Buddhism, Indian scripture, and Silk Road trade all met. The view from the top is nice, but the story is the real draw.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda tickets and prices (2026)
The most common mistake visitors make is thinking one ticket covers everything. It does not. There are two separate charges, and both are cheap.
First you buy entry to the Da Ci’en Temple, which is the walled complex the pagoda sits inside. Then, if you want to climb the pagoda, you pay a second small fee at the base of the tower.
Prices shift a little between peak season (spring, summer, October holidays) and off-season (winter). Here are the current 2026 rates.
| What you pay for | Peak season | Off-season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da Ci’en Temple entry (required) | ~50 RMB | ~40 RMB | Covers the grounds, gardens, and halls |
| Climb inside the pagoda (optional) | ~30 RMB | ~25 RMB | Paid separately at the tower base |
| North Square fountain show | Free | Free | Outside the walls; no ticket |
| Children under 1.2 m / seniors 65+ | Often free or half | Often free or half | Bring passport as ID |
You can buy the temple ticket at the gate or in advance on your phone. Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay, which almost every counter and machine accepts. If you have not set that up yet, read our guide on how foreigners can use Alipay in China before you arrive, because cash is awkward here.
Marcus, a solo traveler from Toronto, told us he almost skipped the pagoda because he assumed climbing it cost a fortune. He paid 40 RMB to enter and another 25 RMB to climb in January, and called it the best value sight of his whole trip.
One tip: the climb ticket is worth it only if you like views and do not mind stairs. There is no elevator, and the staircase gets narrow and busy near the top.
Opening hours and the best time to go
The complex opens early and closes in the early evening. Exact times shift by season, so treat these as a reliable guide rather than the minute.
The Da Ci’en Temple is generally open from 08:00 to 17:30 or 18:00, with the last entry and last pagoda climb around 30-60 minutes before closing. Winter hours run shorter, sometimes closing by 17:00.
Go early, right at opening, or in the late afternoon. Mid-morning to early afternoon brings tour buses and school groups, and the pagoda staircase becomes a slow shuffle.
| Time of day | Crowd level | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00-09:30 | Low | Quiet photos, easy climb |
| 10:00-15:00 | High | Avoid if you dislike crowds |
| 16:00-close | Medium | Golden light on the pagoda |
| Evening (North Square) | High but fun | Free fountain show |
Aisha, visiting from Dubai in April, arrived at 8:10 am and had the lower temple halls almost to herself for 20 minutes. By the time she climbed down, the entrance line stretched across the square.
Avoid the first few days of the October National Day holiday (Oct 1-3) and the Spring Festival week if you can. Those are the most crowded days of the year at every major Chinese sight.
The free music fountain show
Here is the highlight guidebooks often skip. Just north of the pagoda walls sits the North Square, home to what is billed as one of the largest music fountains in Asia.
The show is free. Water jets shoot high and dance to music, lit up at night, with the pagoda glowing behind them. It is genuinely impressive and very popular with local families.
Show times change with the season and holidays, but a typical schedule runs around 12:00 (noon) and again in the evening (often around 20:00 or 21:00 on weekends). There are usually more shows on weekends than weekdays.
Two things to know. First, shows are often paused from roughly November to January because of the cold, except during Spring Festival. Second, arrive 20-30 minutes early on a weekend evening to get a spot near the front, because it fills fast.
You do not need a ticket for the square or the fountain. You only pay if you go inside the temple walls to see the pagoda up close.
How to get to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian
Getting here is easy, which is a relief in a city this big. The metro drops you almost at the door.
Take Metro Line 3 or Line 4 to Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) station. From the exit it is a 5-10 minute walk to the North Square and the temple entrance. The metro is clean, cheap (2-4 RMB), and signed in English.
You can also take a Didi (China’s rideshare app) or a taxi. From the Bell Tower in the city center it is about a 15-20 minute ride, traffic depending. Show the driver the Chinese name if needed: 大雁塔 (Dà Yàn Tǎ).
If you are coming from another Chinese city, most travelers arrive in Xian by high-speed train into Xi’an North Railway Station, then transfer to the metro. Booking those seats early matters during holidays. See our walkthrough on how to book China high-speed train tickets, or browse more trains and metro tips for the region.
Right next to the pagoda is Datang Everbright City, a long pedestrian street of Tang-style buildings that lights up beautifully at night. It is free to walk and pairs perfectly with an evening fountain visit.
What to see inside and nearby
Give yourself 2-3 hours for the pagoda and temple, or a half-day if you add the square and the surrounding streets.
Inside the Da Ci’en Temple, look for the halls dedicated to Xuanzang and the exhibits on his journey. The grounds are calm and green, with incense smoke and monks going about their day.
If you climb, each floor has small windows and displays. The top gives a wide view over southern Xian, though modern high-rises now share the skyline with old rooftops.
Nearby, you can easily fill a day:
- Datang Everbright City at night for Tang-dynasty lights and street food
- Shaanxi History Museum (free timed ticket, book ahead) for Silk Road artifacts
- Datang Furong Garden, a large Tang-themed park a short walk east
Planning a full Xian trip? Our Xian and China itineraries hub helps you slot the pagoda, the Terracotta Army, and the city wall into a sensible order.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Giant Wild Goose Pagoda tickets in 2026?
Da Ci’en Temple entry costs about 40-50 RMB depending on season. Climbing inside the pagoda is a separate 25-30 RMB. The North Square and its music fountain outside the walls are completely free to enjoy.
Can you climb the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda?
Yes. For an extra fee (~25-30 RMB) you can climb all 7 floors on an interior staircase. There is no elevator, and the stairs get narrow and crowded near the top. Wear comfortable shoes and go early to beat the lines.
How long should I spend at the pagoda?
Plan 2-3 hours for the temple and the climb. Add another hour or two if you stay for the evening fountain show and stroll Datang Everbright City next door, which makes a natural half-day or evening outing.
Do I need to book Giant Wild Goose Pagoda tickets in advance?
Usually no. You can buy at the gate with Alipay or WeChat Pay. During the October National Day holiday and Spring Festival, buying the temple ticket on your phone in advance saves time in long queues.
What is the best time to see the music fountain show?
A weekend evening (often around 20:00-21:00) is best, with the lit pagoda behind the water. Arrive 20-30 minutes early for a front spot. Shows usually pause from November to January due to cold, except during Spring Festival.
Is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda worth visiting?
Yes, especially for first-time visitors to Xian. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site tied to the Silk Road and the real journey behind Journey to the West. The free fountain show and lively night streets make it worthwhile even if you skip the climb.
Before you go: quick action list
Do these five things and your visit will run smoothly.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive so you can pay for tickets and food instantly. Cash is a hassle here.
- Go early or late to skip the mid-day crush on the pagoda stairs.
- Check the fountain schedule for the day and plan an evening slot if the weather is warm.
- Bring your passport for possible senior or child discounts and for museum bookings nearby.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the stairs and the walk around Datang Everbright City.
Xian rewards travelers who plan the small stuff, like where they sleep and how they move between sights. Line up a well-located Xian hotel near the pagoda or the old city so you can walk to the fountain at night, and lock in your seats between cities early.
Ready to make Xian easy? Let us handle the trickiest part of any China trip: the trains. Get a free quote and book your China train tickets here, and travel between Xian, Beijing, and beyond without the booking headache.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Silk Roads: Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda – Wikipedia, Visit Xian official tourism portal.
Featured image: “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian, China (9739006047).jpg” by Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
