🏛 Da Ci’en Temple Ruins Park 大慈恩寺遗址公园 — Tang Dynasty Echoes in the Modern City

While most visitors head straight for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, few know that just nearby lies the Da Ci’en Temple Ruins Park (大慈恩寺遗址公园) — an open-air site that preserves the foundations of the original Tang Dynasty temple.

✨ What to See
• Temple Foundations — Stone platforms and ruins outlining the grand scale of the Tang temple, giving you a sense of how vast it once was.
• Explanatory Exhibits — Panels and small displays narrate the history of Emperor Gaozong’s dedication of the temple to his mother, and how Xuanzang later stored his scriptures here.
• Quiet Green Spaces — Compared to the bustling Big Wild Goose Pagoda area, the ruins park feels calm, with lawns and shaded walkways perfect for a reflective stroll.
• Cultural Traces — Occasional steles and restored relics on-site hint at the temple’s glory days as a major Buddhist center.

💡 Tips for Visitors
• 📍 Located south of Xi’an city center, within walking distance of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
• 🆓 Entry is often free, making it a nice add-on to your pagoda visit.
• ⏳ Plan 30–45 minutes if combining with nearby sights.
• 🌅 Best visited in the late afternoon when the park is quiet and the light is softer.

✨ Why Visit?
The Ruins Park isn’t grand like the pagoda, but it gives you a tangible connection to Tang Dynasty foundations, offering a quieter, more contemplative side of Xi’an’s Buddhist heritage.

#mytraveldiary l #xian #daciensi #silkroad #tangdynasty #heritagesite #大慈恩寺遗址公园

Post by NatDiscoversAsia | Sep 2, 2025