The 64-metre brick pagoda built in 652 for the sutras the monk Xuanzang carried back from India, standing in the working Buddhist temple of Da Ci'en on the axis of the Tang capital — Xi'an's emblem and a World Heritage site on the Silk Roads listing. Two tickets: the temple (¥10 by 2025 listings; the 2018 provincial price ruling said ¥40) and the climb (¥25 in season, ¥20 in winter). The temple ticket is booked on the temple's WeChat mini-program, the climb ticket bought inside.
HoursAbout 8:00-8:30 open, 17:30-18:30 close (platforms disagree)Secondhand source
ClosedNone reported (platform); a working temple, open dailyNot independently verified — check official channels before you go
ReservationRequired
IDReal-name entry; passport handling is unconfirmed.Secondhand sourceDetails ↓
Address1 Ci'en Rd, Yanta District (雁塔区慈恩路 1 号) — platform listing; the temple stands between the north and south squaresNot independently verified — check official channels before you goNavigate ↗
EntranceTemple gate on the south side, off the South Square; Metro Lines 3/4 Dayanta station for the North Square
Last verified 2026-09-15Source: platforms and press
How to book
Temple ticket on the 大慈恩寺 WeChat mini-program (real-name, capped, staggered — booking QR or ID at the gate); the pagoda-climb ticket (¥25 / ¥20) is bought on site inside; the pagoda's website has no ticketing (listings, 2025). Enquiries 029-85518039Secondhand source
ID details
Real-name entry; passport handling is unconfirmed. Real-name entry: booking QR code or a valid ID at the gate (platform, 2025); passport acceptance not confirmed by an official page. Concessions (2025 listings): over-65s free with ID, students ¥5, children under 6 / 1.2 m free — whether foreign documents count is not written — see the city tips note on concessions.
Paying on site
Mini-program booking → temple gate (QR or ID) → temple ticket ¥10 by 2025 listings (¥40 in the 2018 ruling) → inside, pagoda ticket ¥25/20 at the pagoda base → climb (media descriptions; official page not fetched).
Beat the crowds
8:00 at the gate on a weekday, ahead of the opening (see tips); the climb queue builds from mid-morning, and commercial photo crews have been an issue in the temple courtyards (the temple once posted that the pagoda photographs better from outside).
Language
Bilingual signs at the temple; the pagoda's own plaques are in Chinese with English summaries.