Famen Temple

Famen Temple (founded around 200 CE) housed the only authenticated finger-bone relic of Sakyamuni Buddha (found in the underground crypt during 1981 restoration after a pagoda collapse). The Tang-era underground crypt + the 2009 Buddha Light Avenue modernist complex are dramatic. The new Famen Cultural Heritage Park (¥120) covers everything; the older Famen Temple proper (¥90) is just the original temple complex. 130 km from Xi'an — 2 hours by bus from West Bus Station (¥40), or day-tour bus from major Xi'an hotels (¥150-200 with guide). Less crowded than Big Wild Goose Pagoda; Buddhists make pilgrimages here. Combine with the underwhelming-but-historic Han Yang Ling Tomb (40 min from city, ¥80) for a half-day archaeology theme.