The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (707 CE) was built 50 years after the Big Wild Goose Pagoda for a different Buddhist sutra-translation effort. The 13-story pagoda is famous for the legend of the 1556 great Huaxian earthquake (M8.0, deadliest in Chinese history): the pagoda 'cracked through the middle' but didn't fall, and 30 years later in another earthquake 'cracked back together'. The current top 2 floors broke off in 1556 and were never rebuilt — so it's currently 43m, not its original 45m. Adjacent Xi'an Museum (free) is one of the city's best-curated. Entry 50 RMB; museum free with passport. Pairs naturally with City Wall (10 min walk) and is far quieter than Big Wild Goose. UNESCO inscribed 2014.
Address
Youyi West Rd, Xi'an
友谊西路
Highlights
- 1556 Earthquake CracksThe legend of the pagoda splitting and re-joining
- Adjacent Xi'an MuseumFree with passport; quieter than Shaanxi History
For foreign visitors
- English service: english tour
- Cards accepted: cash_only
- Booking / entry: required
- Best time: Weekday morning; pairs with Xi'an Museum
- Wi-Fi: free
- Transit access: metro direct
Photos
What travelers say (3 reviews)
BuddhistDay·TripAdvisor·4/5
Free, tranquil Tang-era pagoda. Far less crowded than Big Wild Goose. Combine with Xi'an Museum.
2026-04-15
小雁塔·Xiaohongshu·5/5
小雁塔免费！比大雁塔安静。配西安博物院（免费）+ 荐福寺。半日行程。
2026-03-22
Mike L.·Google Maps·4/5
Free entry, fewer tourists than the Big one. Combine with Xi'an Museum next door.
2026-02-25
