The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔, Xiaoyanta), situated in the Anren Fang of the Tang Dynasty’s Chang’an city (modern-day Xi’an, China), is also known as the “Jianfu Temple Pagoda.” It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Jinglong in the Tang Dynasty and stands as an important symbol that has endured through the centuries, alongside the famous Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient bell housed in the nearby Jianfu Temple bell tower together form one of the “Eight Great Views of Guanzhong,” known as the “Morning Bell of the Wild Goose Pagoda.” This serene and historic site is an integral part of the Xi’an Museum.
The pagoda itself is a remarkable example of early Chinese square-shaped, multi-eave brick pagodas. Originally consisting of 15 stories, it currently stands at 13 stories tall, reaching a height of 43.4 meters. Its graceful architectural design reflects the artistic legacy of Buddhist construction during the Tang Dynasty, representing the integration of Buddhism into Han Chinese culture and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of the region.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Vlog about Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Legend of Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- History of Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Basic Information
| Telephone Number | 0086-029-87568966; 0086-029-87803591 |
| Estimated Length of Tour | About 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free to enter the temple; 30 yuan to ascend the pagoda |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 18.00; Last entry: 17.00 (15th March – 31st October) 9.00 – 17.30; Last entry: 16.30 (1st November – 14th March the next year) Closed on Tuesdays except for national holidays |
Location and Transportation
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is situated in the Jianfu Temple complex, which is located in the southern part of the city, near the Xi’an Museum. The temple complex covers an area of about 15,000 square meters and includes several buildings and structures, including the pagoda itself, a bell tower, a drum tower, and several smaller shrines and pavilions. The specific address is 72 Youxi West Road, Beilin District, Xi’an.
Bus：
Take bus No. 21, 40, 46, 224, 521, or 700, get off at Xiaoyanta Stop (Small Wild Goose Pagoda), and walk about 100 meters to the west to reach the ticket office.
Take bus No. 21, 203, 258, or 700, get off at Nanshaomen Stop (Nanshao Gate), and walk about 150 meters to the east to reach the entrance.
Subway:
Take subway line 2 or 5, get off at Nanshaomen Station (Nanshao Gate), get out from exit F, and walk about 300 meters to the west to reach the north gate
Highlights of Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Jianfu Temple
Jianfu Temple, originally named “Xianfu Temple,” was established in the year 684 AD. It was built as an offering of blessings by the royal family and relatives of Emperor Gaozong, following his passing. In 690 AD, its name was changed to “Jianfu Temple.” By 706 AD, the temple was expanded to include a translation and teaching center, essentially becoming another Buddhist scholarly institution after the renowned Great Ci’en Temple.
During the year 845 AD, Emperor Wuzong initiated a campaign against Buddhism, leading to the widespread suppression of Buddhist institutions. However, Jianfu Temple was among the few temples in Chang’an that were expressly permitted to continue their existence, highlighting its historical significance as one of the four preserved temples in the city during that tumultuous period.
Architectural Style
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a fine example of ancient Chinese architectural style and is composed of several distinct parts, including the underground palace, the pedestal, the main tower, and the tower eaves.
The main tower of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is square-shaped and constructed using green bricks. Originally, it had 15 stories and stood approximately 45 meters tall. However, during the devastating earthquake of 1556, the top two stories of the pagoda were destroyed, leaving it with 13 remaining stories. In 1989, the total height of the pagoda was measured at 43.395 meters.
The pedestal of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a square brick platform, and on the north and south sides of the base, there are exquisite Tang Dynasty stone carvings adorning the entryways.
The main tower of the pagoda is single-walled and hollow on the inside, with wooden floors and a wooden staircase spiraling up to the top of the pagoda, allowing visitors to ascend and enjoy the view from the tower’s summit.
Cultural Relics
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda houses several significant cultural relics, each with its own historical and artistic importance:
- Tang Buddha’s Summit Victory Tantara Sutra Stele (唐佛顶尊胜陀罗尼经幢): Located in the “Hua Jing” courtyard at the southeast corner of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, this stele was carved in the year 842. The stele is made of stone and has an octagonal column shape with a lotus bud-shaped top. At the base, there is a square pedestal with two niches on each side, featuring relief sculptures of musical performances. The front of the stele is inscribed with the “Buddha’s Summit Victory Tantara Sutra,” and it also includes the “Buddha’s Discourse on Rebirth in the Pure Lands of the Ten Directions.” This relic is a testament to the religious and artistic achievements of the Tang Dynasty.
- Headless Stone Buddha Statue (无头石刻佛像): The headless stone Buddha statue is one of the largest Tang Dynasty stone Buddha statues unearthed at the foot of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Despite its missing head and some damage, the statue is adorned in monastic robes and stands in an upright position on a lotus pedestal. It provides a glimpse into the artistic and religious practices of the Tang Dynasty.
- Iron Bell from the Jin Dynasty (金代铁钟): This iron bell, measuring 3.55 meters in height and weighing approximately 8000 kilograms, dates back to the Jin Dynasty. Each morning, the bell is rung at the temple, and its resonating sound can be heard for several miles around. This bell has both historical and acoustic significance, serving as a means of marking time and conveying spiritual messages to the community.
Light Show
The light show at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a mesmerizing display of colors, music, and history. The pagoda is illuminated at night with a stunning array of lights, creating a dazzling visual spectacle. The show tells the story of the Tang Dynasty and the pagoda’s role as a sacred Buddhist site. The colorful lights dance across the pagoda’s surface, highlighting intricate details of its architecture and carving, while accompanying music transports visitors back in time.
Vlog about Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Legend of Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Throughout its long history, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an has been the subject of numerous intriguing stories. The most famous legend associated with the pagoda is known as the “Three Separations and Three Reunions.”
In the 23rd year of the Ming Chenghua era (1487), a severe earthquake struck Shaanxi Province, causing the pagoda’s structure to crack with a fissure more than a foot wide from top to bottom. Despite this significant damage, an astonishing event occurred 34 years later during another earthquake in the 16th year of the Ming Zhengde era (1521). The crack mysteriously closed overnight, leaving locals and scholars puzzled and attributing this phenomenon to a divine intervention, calling it the “Divine Reunion” or “Shenhe.”
In the 34th year of the Ming Jiajing era (1555), a Beijing official named Wang He, who was traveling back to his hometown, stayed overnight at the pagoda. Upon hearing the story of the “Divine Reunion” from Monk Kanguang, who had witnessed the phenomenon, Wang He was astonished and had the tale inscribed on the lintel of the pagoda’s northern gate.
Following this event, the pagoda experienced several more significant earthquakes. In the 34th year of the Jiajing era (1555), it was reported that the pagoda cracked again due to an earthquake, and by the 42nd year of the Jiajing era (1563), it was noted that the pagoda had once more “reunited without leaving a trace” after another quake. During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, similar occurrences were recorded, with the pagoda cracking again in the year of Xinwei (1691) and subsequently rejoining in the year of Xinchou (1697).
The ability of the pagoda to withstand multiple earthquakes and repair itself naturally without collapsing is indeed a remarkable and mysterious aspect of its legend, cementing its status as a symbol of resilience and divine protection throughout the centuries.
History of Small Wild Goose Pagoda
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda, located in Xi’an, China, was built during the Tang Dynasty, specifically between 707 and 710 AD, under Emperor Zhongzong’s reign. The pagoda was constructed to house Buddhist scriptures and relics brought back from India by the renowned Tang monk, Yijing. It was originally part of the Jianfu Temple, though the pagoda itself was situated across the street from the temple’s entrance, in the Anrenfang area, opposite from the temple’s location in the Kaihua Fang area.
During the late Tang Dynasty, the Jianfu Temple suffered significant damage due to warfare and unrest, leading to the temple’s destruction. Despite this, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda remained largely intact.
In the Song Dynasty, particularly during the reign of Emperor Zhezong (1086–1094), historical records show that the Jianfu Temple had moved into the Anrenfang area where the Small Wild Goose Pagoda was located, integrating the pagoda into the temple complex. In 1116, a devout believer known as “Shangu Yusou” vowed to repair the pagoda. He restored the deteriorated eaves and corners of the pagoda, applying a white lime plaster that is still visible on the structure today.
The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw multiple renovations of the Jianfu Temple and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The Ming Dynasty undertook five major repairs, preserving the pagoda’s original layout. During the Xuande period (1426), a Tibetan monk named Shao Sijimengqin from Xining, Shaanxi, made a vow to refurbish the temple. Following the completion of major repairs during the Zhengtong period (1449), the Ming Emperor Yinzong personally inscribed a plaque reading “Imperially Granted Jianfu Temple” in recognition of the restoration efforts.
In 1487, an earthquake struck the Xi’an region, causing significant damage to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda’s body cracked, and during subsequent repairs, a brick layer was added to the base, but the cracks in the pagoda’s structure were not addressed until a later renovation in 1965.
Originally consisting of 15 stories, the pagoda lost its top two tiers during a major earthquake in Huaxian County in 1556. As a result, only 13 tiers remain today. During the Qing Dynasty, the Jianfu Temple underwent several more renovations, with the largest restoration taking place in 1692 during the Kangxi Emperor’s reign. Additionally, during the late Qing period, a scripture building and southern gate were added to the complex.
After the Xinhai Revolution, from 1926 to May 1949, the Jianfu Temple was occupied by military forces and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda was used as a military command post. Following the retreat of the Nationalist troops from Xi’an, the pagoda’s underground chamber was found to be filled with debris.
Today, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda stands as a testament to the resilience of ancient Chinese architecture and continues to attract visitors interested in its rich historical legacy.
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Ideal Time to Visit: The best time to visit Small Wild Goose Pagoda is in the late afternoon, around 3 to 4 PM. During this time, the sun hangs low in the sky, casting beautiful dappled light filtered through ancient trees onto the ground, creating a picturesque scene.
Capture Reflections: Look for the artificial lake on the far right side, where you can capture stunning reflections of the pagoda.
Unique Charm: Unlike the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda exudes a more rustic charm. It is relatively untouched, with minimal embellishments, showcasing its ancient architecture and the surrounding environment in a more authentic manner. Inside, you’ll find well-preserved ancient trees and small buildings, adding to the historical ambiance of the site.
