Daci'en Temple
Daci'en Temple, one of China’s most revered Buddhist temples, was founded in 648 CE during the Tang Dynasty. Originally named "Wulou Temple," it was rebuilt by Emperor Gaozong of Tang in memory of his mother and renamed "Daci'en" (Compassion of the Great Mother). The temple gained global fame as the base for Xuanzang (Hsuan-tsang), the legendary monk who translated Buddhist sutras here after his 17-year pilgrimage to India. Its iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta), a UNESCO-listed brick pagoda, stands as China’s earliest surviving Tang-era pagoda and a symbol of Sino-Indian cultural exchange.
Historical Overview
Constructed in 648 CE, the temple flourished under Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, becoming a hub for Buddhist scholarship. Xuanzang’s arrival in 645 CE marked its golden age: he established a translation school, producing 74 volumes of sutras that shaped Han Buddhism. The temple declined after the Tang Dynasty but was restored in the Ming and Qing eras. In 1964, it reopened as a cultural landmark, blending Tang architecture with modern exhibitions.
Structural Layout
The temple follows a symmetrical Tang-style layout along a north-south axis:
- Front Court: Includes the Mountain Gate, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Mahavira Hall (main hall).
- Central Court: Features the Xuanzang Sanzang Hall and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
- Rear Court: Contains the Sutra Depository, Buddhist Culture Exhibition Hall, and meditation gardens.
Key structures include the 64-meter-tall pagoda, the only surviving Tang-era building in the temple.
Major Attractions
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda: A 7-story brick pagoda housing Xuanzang’s relics and Tang-era Buddhist artifacts.
Xuanzang Sanzang Hall: Dedicated to the monk’s life, displaying his skull relic and pilgrimage maps.
Mahavira Hall: The main prayer hall with a 15-meter-tall Shakyamuni Buddha statue.
Bell Tower: Houses a 2-ton Ming Dynasty bronze bell, struck daily for prayers.
Sutra Depository: Displays rare Buddhist manuscripts, including Tang-era woodblock prints.
Peony Garden: A seasonal garden with over 100 peony varieties, blooming in spring.
Suggested Itineraries
Classic Route (2 hrs):
Mountain Gate → Bell Tower → Mahavira Hall → Xuanzang Sanzang Hall → Giant Wild Goose Pagoda → Sutra Depository.
Highlights: Core Tang architecture and Xuanzang’s legacy.
Cultural Route (3 hrs):
Add: Buddhist Culture Exhibition Hall (Tang-era statues) and Peony Garden.
Highlights: Art and natural beauty.
Comprehensive Route (4–5 hrs):
Include meditation sessions (9–10 AM) and sutra-copying workshops (contact temple in advance).
Ticket Purchase
Online: Book via the temple’s WeChat mini-program or platforms like Ctrip.
On-Site: Tickets sold at the entrance; limited same-day availability during peak seasons.
Prices:
Temple Entry: ¥50 (adults), ¥25 (students/seniors).
Pagoda Climbing: ¥30 (additional).
Free: Children under 1.4m, disabled visitors, and monks.
Transportation
Metro: Line 3/4 to Daci'en Station (Exit D), 5-min walk.
Bus: Routes 5, 19, 21, 22, 23, or 24 to Daci'en Stop.
Taxi: Direct to "Daci'en Temple" Ci'en West Road, Yanta District.
Best Time & Tips
Ideal Season: Spring (Apr–May) for peonies; autumn (Oct–Nov) for clear pagoda views.
Avoid: Chinese New Year and National Day (Oct 1) crowds.
- Essentials:
Wear modest clothing (shoulders/knees covered).
Bring a flashlight for pagoda staircases (low lighting).
Photography allowed (no flash in halls).
Respect rituals—remove hats and refrain from loud conversations.
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Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
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May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
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Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
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June 02,2025
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America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
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For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
