Key Things You Didn’t Know About the Dayan Pagoda in Xian – An Entrancing Religious Attraction

Located in the southern part of Xian, the Dayan Pagoda or Giant Wild Goose Pagoda happens to be a renowned religious monument that has existed for many centuries. It is considered a highlight of the Silk Road as it boasts striking architecture and is believed to house priceless Buddhist relics. Recognising its importance and historical legacy, the Dayan Pagoda has been identified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Even today, local Buddhists engage in religious activities at this pagoda, while it is also regarded as one of Xian's noteworthy tourist attractions.

This pagoda's history commenced at the time of the rule of the Tang Dynasty. During this period, the renowned Buddhist monk, traveller and translator, Xuanzhang, requested Emperor Gaozong to permit him to construct a Buddhist pagoda at the site of Daci'en Temple. The principal function of this pagoda was to provide a place to store the numerous Buddha figurines and sutras that Xuanzhang had collected in India and brought back to China. Over time, the Dayan Pagoda has been rebuilt on several occasions and gained its present form during the Ming Dynasty.

Visitors to the Dayan Pagoda will encounter many features of interest. You will notice the Buddhist figures with exquisite carvings positioned on the door frames and lintels. Another engrossing sight would be the tablet that displays lines composed by Chinese emperors and fashioned by a famed calligrapher. As you ascend the pagoda, you will notice a collection of statues of Buddha, famous poetry and paintings. A highlight would be the gilded copper statue of Buddhism's founder, Buddha Shakyamuni. A choice of accommodation to consider from which you could easily visit this pagoda would be Grand Park Xian which may be regarded as one of the appealingly located five-star hotels in Xi'an.

There is an interesting legend that describes the way the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda gained its name. According to this legend, there were in the past two factions of Buddhist monks, namely those who ate meat and those who did not. One day, a group of monks of the former faction were unable to find meat to eat. One of the monks prayed to Buddha for some meat to consume and just at that moment, a wild goose fell to the ground with its wings broken. The monks took this as a sign that Buddha disapproved of their way of life, and accordingly, stopped eating meat and constructed a pagoda at this site.

You will see that Dayan Pagoda stands within the compound of Daci'en Temple which is an appealing religious attraction as well. You will have the opportunity to stroll through this temple, admiring the features of interest such as the Drum Tower and Bell Tower. Another popular attraction would be the nearby musical fountain which is considered one of the largest of its kind in Asia. You will be captivated by the stunning spectacle provided by this musical fountain at night.