The Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Da Yan Ta)

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda
photo by: Scott Bacon

Originally situated within the premises of the Temple of Motherly Kindness in the Jinchang Block,the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was constructed in the Ming style, built in 648 AD by the third Tang emperor, Gaozong, as a tribute to his dead mother, Empress Wende.

The Pagoda itself was built in 652 (third year of Yonghui of the Tang Emperor Gaozong), a square pyramid of blue brick. It is simple in shape, and of good and lofty proportion. Preserved on the four stone doors in the base of the pagoda are exquisite engravings of the Tang. Two steles with "the preface to the Sacred more..

type:	Hotspots
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Xian City Wall

The Xian city wall is the oldest standing city wall in the world. With a circumference of about 14 km (8.7 miles) the best way to see the entire wall is to take a bike ride on top of the wall. Bikes can be rented on top of the wall itself (both in single and tandem varieties).

The Xian city wall surrounds the old part of the city, which includes the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. The Muslim Quarter is also located inside the city wall.

type:	Landmarks
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The Tomb of Qin Shihuang

Qin Shihuang was an extraordinary character. Assuming the throne in 246 BC at the age of 13, one of his first acts was to begin preparations for the construction of his tomb, 30km east of Xi'an. A first-century chronicle records that 700,000 workmen spent 36 years completing a mini-universe of a mausoleum, featuring rivers of mercury, jewels embedded in the ceiling to represent stars and Raiders of the Lost Ark-style crossbows to deter intruders. The tomb - as yet unexcavated - has naturally aroused considerable excitement in archeological circles, particularly since preliminary more..

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The Small Wild Goose Pagoda(Xiao Yan Ta)

Small Wild Goose Pagoda
photo by: Anni Harris

On the grounds of the Jianfu Temple, The Little Goose Pagoda was built in 684 AD, 100 days after the Emperor Gaozong's death, by the royal family and the aristocracy in order to "offer happiness" to the Emperor, and completed in 709 AD. The Pagoda, once formed part of Jianfu temple and monastery, is uniquely and delicately shaped, with a rhythmic series of projecting eaves. Above the arched doorways on the first tier are Tang engravings of ivy designs and Buddhist figures. Its top fell off during an earthquake in the 16th century, but apparently the rest of the structure remains safe.

Bell Tower

An acient building about 1000 years old.

Bell Tower

An acient building about 1000 years old.