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During a trip to China, a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is popular for many tourists. The structure is located within a Buddhist temple called Da Ci’en Temple. This means the Thanksgiving Temple when translated. It is located about four kilometers from Xian’s city center.

Originally, this Buddhist structure was built in the Tang dynasty in the the mid 600′s. However, much of the beautiful building was damaged a war that followed the Tang dynasty’s end. As a result, what is seen by people today was primarily constructed by Ming dynasty builders. Ming rule lasted from 1346 until 1644.

In the year 1566, a massive earthquake struck the region. As a result, this building was heavily damaged, but was still standing. It was reduced from ten stories to seven stories, which still remain to this day.

The structure got its name from a legend about Buddhist monks. At the time, some still ate meat while others did not. One monk, who was among those that ate meat, wished to be able to have meat that day as a flock of geese flew by. Just as the monk made this wish, one goose fell to the ground. According to this legend, the pagoda was built in the same place that the goose fell and the monks who were there at the time stopped consuming meat.

Today, this famous Buddhist structure stands at just over 64 meters high and is 32,314 square meters in area. This is only one seventh of the original area of the structure. However, it is still just as grand today as it was when it was first constructed.

It is made from brick and wood. The design is a simple yet elegant square shape. There are stairs inside the pagoda that visitors can climb, in order to get a great view of the city of Xian.

Tourists can use the bus or subway to easily get to this popular attraction. Hours of operation are usually from eight in the morning until five in the evening. There is an entrance fee that varies depending on the season, but is often cheaper during winter months. Most tourists feel that seeing this structure is well worth it.

The incredible architectural design and the fascinating history that the Big Wild Goose Pagoda provides is probably what makes this site a frequently visited tourist attraction. Despite its long, complex history, the monument still stands today and is enjoyed by many. Consider a visit to this structure during a trip through China.