A Complete Guide to Spring Flower Viewing & Photo Spots Around the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

The Great Ci'en Temple was a royal temple of the Tang Dynasty, built under the supervision of Monk Xuanzang. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda inside the temple was originally constructed in 652 AD to store Buddhist scriptures and relics that Xuanzang brought back from India. The existing seven-story brick pagoda stands 64.5 meters tall and is China's earliest surviving square pavilion-style brick pagoda from the Tang Dynasty. It is also Xi'an's iconic landmark. Today, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, along with the surrounding Great Ci'en Temple Ruins Park and the North and South Squares, forms a tourist destination that combines history, culture, and modern light shows. 📍Address: No. 1 Ci'en Road, Yanta District, Xi'an (within Qujiang Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Cultural and Leisure Area) 🚇Transportation: Take Xi'an subway Line 3 or Line 4 to "Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Station." The site is within walking distance, with Exit C closest to the North Square of Great Ci'en Temple. 🌟A Timeless Dialogue Between Monk Xuanzang and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 📍Photo spot: South Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda As soon as you exit the subway station, you'll see the South Square. The bronze statue of Monk Xuanzang in the center is a must-visit photo spot! The 5-meter-tall statue depicts Xuanzang in his kasaya robe, holding a monk's staff, gazing steadfastly at the pagoda as if time has stood still for a thousand years. 💡Photo Tips: ✨Best angle: Stand at an oblique angle to the statue, capturing Xuanzang's silhouette against the pagoda. This helps avoid crowds and creates a sense of solitude. ✨Lighting: Recommended shooting times are early morning or dusk when soft sunlight bathes the statue and pagoda, creating a natural historical filter. 🌟Buddha Statue and Pagoda in the Zen Park 📍Photo spot: Tang Dynasty Great Ci'en Temple Ruins Park A 5-minute walk east of the South Square leads to the free "Tang Dynasty Great Ci'en Temple Ruins Park." This former Tang Dynasty temple site has been transformed into a zen garden with winding paths and scenic spots at every turn. ✨Buddha statue with pagoda: Deep in the park stands a white marble Buddha statue facing the pagoda. Shoot from a low angle in front of the statue to capture the Buddha's compassionate expression with the pagoda spire in the background. ✨Zen paths: The park features bamboo groves, stone lanterns, and small bridges. Wear hanfu or plain long dresses for perfect Tang Dynasty-style photos among the bamboo with the pagoda as backdrop. 🌟Great Ci'en Temple Peony Garden: A Thousand-Year Dialogue Between Ancient Pagoda and National Flower 📍Photo spot: Peony Garden inside Great Ci'en Temple Every April, over 50 varieties of peonies bloom around the ancient pagoda, recreating the Tang Dynasty's grand flower-viewing tradition. Standing among the peonies, capture the majestic pagoda towering above the luxuriant flowers for a scene straight from a Tang Dynasty painting. 💡Photo Tips: ✨Best timing: Late March to early April, early morning when soft light and dew make the petals look more delicate. ✨Composition tip: Shoot from a low angle, using peonies as foreground and centering the pagoda to create depth. 🌟Tang Dynasty Great Ci'en Temple Ruins Park: Zen Pagoda Among Cherry and Apricot Blossoms 📍Photo spot: Central lawn area of the Ruins Park Besides bridges, streams, bamboo groves, and stone lanterns, the park features cherry and apricot blossoms in spring. Recommended spot is the apricot grove on the park's east side (blooming in mid to late March): pink and white blossoms create a snowy effect with the pagoda spire peeking through. Wear hanfu for perfect Tang Dynasty atmosphere. 🌟Joy City Rooftop Observatory: Modern Perspective on Flowers and Pagoda 📍Photo spot: Joy City 4th floor outdoor platform This spot offers panoramic views of the pagoda and features a rose wall in spring (blooming April-May). Use the pagoda's reflection in glass walls as background while posing by the flower wall for a trendy mix of modern architecture, flowers, and ancient pagoda. 🌟North Square of Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: Musical Fountain and Begonia Corridor 📍Photo spot: Walkways on both sides of the fountain From late March to early April, the begonia corridors along the square burst into bloom. During fountain shows (21:00 in summer/20:30 in winter), use slow shutter speed to capture water features with blurred begonia petals in the foreground and the illuminated pagoda adding romance. ✅Nearby Attractions Recommended 🌟Grand Tang Mall (10-minute walk): Must-visit at night! Tang-style buildings under lights, popular Tumbler Girl performance, and Poetry Street recreate bustling Tang Dynasty scenes! 🌟Shaanxi History Museum (2 subway stops): Free but reservation required. Houses 180,000 artifacts; don't miss the crown jewel "Gold-Mounted Agate Cup with Beast Head." 🌟Qujiang Pool Ruins Park (15-minute drive): Former Tang Dynasty royal garden, perfect for walks and boating, cherry blossoms in spring and red leaves in fall. 🌟Muslim Quarter (20 minutes by subway): One-stop destination for Xi'an specialties like yangrou paomo, roujiamo, and liangpi. --- ##Practical Tips** - **Transportation**: Direct access via subway Lines 3/4 at "Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Station." Abundant shared bikes nearby for flexible sightseeing. - **Must-see night view**: Musical fountain at North Square (21:00 summer/20:30 winter), Asia's largest matrix fountain. Arrive early for front-row spots! - **Warning tips**: Watch out for illegal taxis around scenic area, use ride-hailing apps or subway; steep stairs inside pagoda, exercise caution with elderly and children.