Why go
Xuanzang, the monk who walked to India and back over 17 years, built the pagoda to store the 657 scriptures he carried home. Its brick core has been rebuilt and repaired, but the silhouette is the one Tang poets described.
The surrounding square has become Xi'an's evening gathering point, with the largest musical fountain in Asia running on a schedule after 19:00.
- The climb to the top for the view over Xi'an
- The Da Ci'en Temple grounds around the pagoda
- The 'Music Fountain' square in front — a nightly water show
- The history of Xuanzang, the real 'Monkey King' traveller
Practical tips
Climb the pagoda early — the interior stairs are narrow and the queue builds. The view from the top looks over the temple roofs toward the city wall. Time the evening to see the fountain show, then walk to the nearby Tang Paradise if you want more lights.
Nearby
The pagoda anchors the southern part of Xi'an; the Muslim Quarter and city wall are a metro ride north. The Shaanxi History Museum is 20 minutes away on foot.
Getting there
- Metro Line 3/4 to Dayanta station
- Built
- 652 CE (Tang)
- Height
- 64 m, 7 storeys
- Purpose
- Store Xuanzang's scriptures
