A Beautiful Day in Xi’an’s Historical Heart
A Beautiful Day in Xi’an’s Historical Heart
It was one of those picture-perfect afternoons in Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) — crisp blue skies, just enough warmth from the sun, and that unmistakable hum of life you only get in ancient cities where the past and present walk side by side. Elaine and I decided to spend this beautiful day at the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔, Dàyàn Tǎ), and what a great call that turned out to be.
Why This Pagoda Matters
Most Western travelers know Xi’an as the home of the Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑, Bīngmǎyǒng), but surprisingly few realize that this ancient city was also the cradle of Buddhism in China and the Eastern terminus of the Silk Road (丝绸之路, Sīchóu zhī Lù). The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is at the heart of this spiritual and intellectual crossroads.
Starting Point: Xi’an Museum and a Smart Lunch Stop
Earlier that day, we had visited the Xi’an Museum (西安博物院, Xī’ān Bówùyuàn), which gave us a good foundation for understanding the rich layers of this ancient capital. From there, we took a leisurely walk to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The pathway was shaded and well-maintained, perfect for a stroll even in warmer weather.
Travel Tip: Along this walkway, you’ll find kiosks selling snacks, souvenirs, and even traditional hand fans. One refreshing highlight is a cup of 冰镇酸梅汤 (bīng zhèn suān méi tāng) — a chilled sour plum drink that’s both sweet and tangy, perfect for cooling off under the Xi’an sun. You might also notice some kiosks offering hand fan rentals — a charming option if you’d like to wave your own as you stroll in traditional style! And if you’re lucky, you may even spot visitors dressed in flowing Tang-style hanfu (汉服), adding a dreamlike quality to your walk. The presence of hanfu wearers transforms an ordinary sightseeing day into something straight out of a historical painting.
Along the way, we stopped at a modern food kiosk called “F+牛肉饭 (F+ Niúròu Fàn)” for a quick but satisfying lunch. I ordered their rice set with minced beef, cucumber salad, and a soft-boiled egg — all served in a simple tray. It was value-for-money, and surprisingly delicious. The savory meat sauce paired beautifully with plain rice. Elaine especially enjoyed the chilled cucumber strips, which were refreshing under the midday sun.
Travel Tip: If you’re walking from Xi’an Museum to the pagoda, this kiosk makes a convenient and economical lunch stop. Look out for it along the tree-lined walkway.
First Impressions of the Pagoda Plaza
From the moment we stepped into the massive plaza in front of the pagoda, we were surrounded by open space and the kind of peaceful energy that makes you want to slow down and breathe a little deeper. Families, tourists, street performers, and calligraphy artists all seemed to be enjoying the sun just like us. The towering pagoda, standing with quiet pride at the heart of the Daci’en Temple complex (大慈恩寺, Dàcí’ēn Sì), looked timeless.
Meeting Xuanzang and Our Plush Travel Buddies
Just outside the main entrance to the pagoda complex, we paused at the bronze statue of Xuanzang (玄奘, Xuánzàng), with the iconic pagoda rising proudly behind him in the distance. Elaine stood beside me, holding her favorite plushies — our ever-curious travel buddies: the little warrior 兵马仔 (Bīngmǎzǎi) and the penguin 企鹅Cheers (Qǐ’é Cheers).
Inside the Sacred Complex
A little later, we posed for another shot inside the pagoda complex, beside the green signboard that designates the site as a national-level cultural heritage monument (全国重点文物保护单位, Quánguó zhòngdiǎn wénwù bǎohù dānwèi).
We took our time walking along the symmetrical central pathway. Neatly trimmed hedges and elegant stone tiles lined the way, and I couldn’t help but imagine how this must have looked over a thousand years ago when Tang dynasty monks walked the same route.
The Inspiring Story Behind the Pagoda
But the story of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda really begins with one man: Xuanzang (玄奘, Xuánzàng), a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and adventurer who left Chang’an (长安, Cháng’ān — now Xi’an) in 627 AD to journey westward across deserts and mountains in search of sacred Buddhist texts. His odyssey lasted 17 years, taking him through what is now modern-day India and Central Asia. He returned with 657 Buddhist scriptures and countless relics. His journey was so legendary that it inspired the beloved Chinese novel Journey to the West (西游记, Xīyóu Jì) — where he became the fictional character Tang Sanzang (唐三藏, Táng Sānzàng), accompanied by the Monkey King (孙悟空, Sūn Wùkōng).
When Xuanzang returned, Emperor Gaozong (唐高宗, Táng Gāozōng) of the Tang Dynasty ordered the construction of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in 652 AD to house the precious sutras and relics. Originally built with rammed earth and later reconstructed in brick, the pagoda stood as a beacon of cultural exchange and spiritual devotion. It was within the walls of Daci’en Temple that Xuanzang spent the remainder of his life translating the scriptures, laying the foundation for the flourishing of Buddhism across East Asia.
And why the curious name, “Giant Wild Goose Pagoda”? One story tells of a group of Buddhist monks from the Indian Mahayana (大乘, Dàchéng) tradition who had no meat to eat. Seeing a flock of wild geese flying overhead, one monk prayed for a sign of compassion. Suddenly, a goose broke from the sky and fell to the ground. The monks, moved by the sacrifice, gave up eating meat altogether and built a pagoda on the site to commemorate the divine message. The term “wild goose” (雁, yàn) became a symbol of spiritual discipline, humility, and enlightenment. This touching legend was later passed on to the pagoda built by Xuanzang, whose entire journey was marked by devotion and personal sacrifice.
A Quiet Garden, a Sketch, and Two Relaxing Plushies
To the west of the pagoda, there’s a quiet little garden with stone benches shaded by ginkgo and pine trees. Elaine sat there for a while, sketching the outline of the pagoda on her iPad. Meanwhile, our travel buddies — 兵马仔 (Bīngmǎzǎi) and 企鹅Cheers (Qǐ’é Cheers) — took a break of their own on one of the stone benches.
Cooling Down in Style: Starbucks and Joy City Mall
After exploring the pagoda complex, we exited and headed to a shaded Starbucks Reserve store next to the nearby five-star Westin Xi’an Hotel. This quiet, air-conditioned café sits diagonally across from Joy City Mall (大悦城, Dà Yuè Chéng). 兵马仔 posed beside a souvenir fan that read “Chang’an (长安) while just outside, young women dressed in Tang-style hanfu (汉服) passed by, bringing the history of the place vividly to life.
Ending the Day on a High Note
By then, we were happily tired. We called a Didi from the Westin Xi’an Hotel entrance.
Travel Tip: Always use a clear landmark like a hotel lobby when calling a Didi (China’s version of Uber). It helps avoid pick-up confusion in crowded areas.
Elaine turned to me and said, “I like it here. It’s old, but not boring.” And she was right.
Getting There:
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔, Dàyàn Tǎ) is located in the Yanta District (雁塔区, Yàntǎ Qū) of Xi’an. Take subway Line 3 to Dayanta Station (大雁塔站, Dàyàntǎ Zhàn) or simply get a taxi or Didi to the main entrance.
Here’s your custom walking route map from Xi’an Museum to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, including stops like F+牛肉饭, the Xuanzang statue, Starbucks Reserve, and Joy City Mall:
👉 Click here to view the interactive map
file:///Users/leekheechuan/Downloads/xian_pagodawalk_map.html
Tips:
- Bring a refillable water bottle
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Take your time — this area is best enjoyed slowly
- Look out for hanfu photo shoots for some magical encounters!
Nearby Eats:
- F+牛肉饭 (F+ Niúròu Fàn): simple but satisfying lunch sets
- Try some 冰镇酸梅汤 (bīng zhèn suān méi tāng): refreshing sour plum drink
- Small vendors with traditional Xi’an snacks and souvenirs nearby
Further Reading:
