🛕 Da Ci’en Temple — Home of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Before the pagoda became the icon, there was the Da Ci’en Temple (大慈恩寺) — one of Xi’an’s most important Buddhist temples, founded during the Tang Dynasty in 648 AD. Built by Emperor Gaozong in memory of his mother, this grand temple was once the spiritual center of Tang Chang’an.

✨ What to See
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔) — The temple’s heart, where Master Xuanzang stored Buddhist scriptures and relics brought back from India.
• Main Halls & Courtyards — Statues of the Buddha, incense burners, and Tang-style wooden halls full of history.
• Cultural Relics — Inscriptions, stone carvings, and steles that reveal the temple’s role as a hub for Buddhist learning.
• Serene Atmosphere — Compared to the busy North Square, the temple grounds feel quieter, with monks chanting and visitors burning incense.

📸 Best Photo Angles
• Frame the Big Wild Goose Pagoda rising above the temple rooftops from inside the courtyards — it feels far more authentic than photographing from the crowded square outside.
• Visit in the late afternoon when the light hits the pagoda in golden tones.

💡 Tips
• 🎟 Buy the temple ticket rather than just climbing the pagoda — you’ll get the full cultural and spiritual experience.
• 🚇 Take Metro Line 3 or 4 to Dayanta Station (大雁塔站), a short walk to the entrance.
• ⏳ Plan 1.5–2 hours for both the temple and the pagoda.

✨ Why Visit?
Da Ci’en Temple isn’t just the setting for the Big Wild Goose Pagoda — it’s the soul of Tang Buddhism, where history, religion, and culture meet.

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