Xi’an Small Wild Goose Pagoda: Timeless Legacy along the Silk Road
A historical and cultural city with thousand years of history, Xi’an has witnessed countless joy and sorrow through the reigns of thirteen dynasties. Each cultural landmark chronicles the city’s unparalleled elegance throughout the ages. Among these landmarks is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, located in the Yan Ta District of Xi’an within the Jianfu Temple.
Going through a history of more than 1300 years, it remains intact, added to the World Cultural Heritage list in 2014. With its graceful design, Xian Small Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the symbolic structures marking Buddhism’s introduction to the Central Plains. It offers an integrated experience into the Han culture during the China Silk Road tour. A visit to this pagoda is a must on any trip to Xi’an.
Xian Small Wild Goose Pagoda Facts
- Type: Buddhist site, ancient architecture, museum
- Opening Hours: 15 March – 30 October: 9:00-18:00; November to 14 March: 9:00-17:30 (except on Tuesdays and Spring Festival Eve)
- Tickets: Free entrance fee, RMB 30 for ascending the pagoda
- Time Needed: about 2 hours
- Best Seasons: All seasons
- Recommended for: History and culture lovers, Buddhists
- Location: 72 Friendship West Road, Beilin District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province
Significance of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xian
Marvelous Aesthetic Art
Xi’an Small Wild Goose Pagoda, with its elegant shape, is considered a fine example of Buddhist architectural art from the Tang Dynasty. Constructed in 707 AD, it is one of the two iconic structures that have survived from the Tang Dynasty Chang’an city, along with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is three kilometers away from the Xian Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Although the Small Wild Goose Pagoda does not match the grandeur of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it offers a tranquil environment and beautiful scenery. The “Morning Bell of Goose Pagoda” in the Xi’an Small Wild Goose Pagoda is one of the “Eight Sights of Guanzhong” during the Qing Dynasty.
Today, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a famous historical site in Xi’an City, now located within the Xi’an Museum. Tourists can experience the charm of this historical landmark on a Xi’an tour.
Distinctive Building Technique
The unique shape and structure of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda make it a quintessential example among pagodas. As early as the Tang and Song dynasties, the dense-eave brick pagodas have been constructed in regions such as Yunnan and Sichuan. However, despite having their own local characteristics, these pagodas still bear the imprint of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, revealing the evolutionary relationship. For contemporary architecture, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda serves as an object of emulation for some architects. It has exerted significant influence on ancient and modern architecture nationwide.
History of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda
The Little Wild Goose Pagoda was initially constructed during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang in the Jinglong era (707-710 AD). The pogoda was built to preserve the Buddhist scriptures brought back by the Tang Dynasty’s eminent monk Yijing. The Small Wild Goose Pagoda originally had 15 stories, of which 13 remain today, standing at a height of 43.4 meters.
Throughout its long history, Xian Small Wild Goose Pagoda has a story known as the “miraculous closeing.” In 1487 AD, a magnitude 6 earthquake occurred in Shaanxi, causing a crack over a foot wide in the middle of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. However, 34 years later, in 1521, another earthquake occurred, and the crack closed up overnight. People were puzzled by this phenomenon and referred to the closing of the crack as the “miraculous closeing.”
It was only after the founding of the People’s Republic of China that it was discovered that the closing was but a result of human craftsmanship. Ancient craftsmen specially constructed the pagoda’s foundation with rammed earth into a semi-spherical shape. After the shocks, the pressure was evenly dispersed, allowing the Small Wild Goose Pagoda to stand like a “rubber duck” that would not fall.
This testament to the superb architectural skills of ancient Chinese craftsmen is truly admirable. The Litttle Wild Goose Pagoda then stands as an essential stop on any China Silk Road tour to witness the blend of historical resilience and architectural brilliance.
The Name of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda
As for the name of Xian Small Wild Goose Pagoda, it is related to the name “Big Wild Goose Pagoda.” In 652 AD and 707 AD, the Buddhist pagoda within the Da Ci’en Temple and a smaller pagoda within the Jianfu Temple were built respectively. As the smaller pagoda resembled the Buddhist pagoda, which wad named after the Wild Goose Pagoda, it came to be called the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
Must-visit Relics in the Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi’an Small Wild Goose Pagoda, rising as one of the important landmarks preserved from the Tang Dynasty’s capital Chang’an, is complemented by the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to the east. The name “Small Wild Goose Pagoda” is related to the “Big Wild Goose Pagoda.” So what cultural relics are presented at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda today?
Tang Zunsheng Pillar
The pillar is located in the “Hua Jing” courtyard at the southeast corner of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Carved in the second year of Huichang during the reign of Emperor Wu Zong of Tang (842 AD), the pillar is particularly valued for its base relief depicting musical performances.
The upper part of the pillar has two layers of canopies, each with eight different dragon heads as decorations, representing the Eight Heavenly Dragons. There are eight Buddhist niches between the two canopies, sculpting the scene of Sakyamuni sitting in meditation and preaching. It is similar in form and spirit to the canopies made of textiles. Moderate in complexity, the pillar body fully reflects the artistic style of stone pillars in the middle and late Tang Dynasty.
Tang Dynasty Stone Buddha
The stone Buddha statue without head is the largest Tang Dynasty stone Buddha statue found. The statue was found headless when it was unearthed at the foot of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Wearing a kasaya with broken hands and standing on a lotus seat, the statue is 1.8 meters high and 70 centimeters wide. It is identified as a Tang Dynasty cultural relic, which is of great value for research on Tang Dynasty Buddhist culture.
Jin Dynasty Iron Bell
Cast in the third year of the Mingchang era of the Jin Dynasty (1192 AD), the bell is 3.55 meters high and weighs about 8,000 kilograms. Every morning, the monk would strike the bell on time, spreading its clear and loud sound to tens of miles away. The bell sound is clear and the pagoda’s shadow is elegant, adding a unique charm to the ancient city. The “Morning Bell of Goose Pagoda” is known as one of the “Eight Sights of Guanzhong.”
Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum
Within the same grounds as Xian Small Wild Goose Pagoda, visitors can also explore the Xi’an Museum. It is a contemporary institution that complements the historical significance of the pagoda. While it may not eclipse the Shaanxi History Museum in reputation, the Xi’an Museum offers an enriching experience for those on their Xi’an travel itinerary.
Visitors to Xi’an Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum can expect to encounter ancient stone Buddha sculptures as a harvest along the China Silk Road travel. Come to Xi’an Museum and visit a chronological display of porcelain, a collection of Chinese calligraphy and painting, and an exhibit of ancient seals. All of them contribute to a deeper understanding of Xi’an’s cultural heritage and China Silk Road history.
More Attractions in Xi’an along the Silk Road Tour
- Xi’an Bell Tower: Once a pivotal structure for timekeeping, Xi’an Bell Tower has transformed into a museum showcasing a collection of cultural artifacts and traditional art pieces.
- Xi’an Terracotta Army: Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a collection of life-sized sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shihuang, China’s first emperor, and is hailed as the world’s eighth ancient wonder.
