What You'll Discover
I nearly missed entering Small Wild Goose Pagoda because I spent 20 minutes arguing with a tout at the gate who tried to sell me a fake ticket for RMB 100. Don't let that happen. After 10 years of backpacking China, I've learned the hard way that this place requires a bit of savvy, especially if you're a foreigner with limited Chinese. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you exactly what you need to know.
How to Get to Small Wild Goose Pagoda Without Getting Lost
First, the address: Small Wild Goose Pagoda, 1 Youyi West Road, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China (小雁塔，西安市碑林区友谊西路1号). Most tourists head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and overlook this gem, but it's worth the trip for the quieter vibes and better photo ops.
If you're coming from Xi'an city center, the metro is your best bet. Take Line 2 (the blue line) to Nanshaomen Station (南稍门站). Exit from Exit C, and it's a 10-minute walk west. Use Baidu Maps or Apple Maps—Google Maps is blocked in China, and it'll show outdated routes. I made that mistake once and ended up in a random hutong.
For a hassle-free ride, use Didi (China's Uber). Here's how to set it up as a foreigner: Download the Didi app from your app store, register with your international phone number, and link a foreign credit card like Visa or Mastercard. It works, but sometimes you need to verify with a code sent via SMS. If you're short on time, ask your hotel to book a taxi for you—costs around RMB 20-30 from the Bell Tower area.
Let's break down the options:
| Transport Mode | Cost (RMB) | Time from Xi'an Center | Notes for Foreigners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Line 2) | RMB 4-6 | 20-30 mins | Buy tickets at station kiosks with cash or use Alipay/WeChat Pay; signs in English. |
| Didi (ride-hail) | RMB 15-25 | 15-20 mins | App in English; may require SMS verification for foreign cards. |
| Taxi (street hail) | RMB 20-35 | 15-25 mins | Ensure meter is on; have address written in Chinese to show driver. |
| Bus (Route 18 or 46) | RMB 2 | 30-40 mins | Cash only; crowded during peak hours; not recommended for first-timers. |
The metro ride is smooth, but if you're lugging a backpack, the walk from Nanshaomen Station has uneven sidewalks. I once tripped over a loose tile—watch your step. Didi is reliable, but during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM), surge pricing can double the fare.
Buying Tickets: The Foreigner Passport Process Explained
This is where most guides gloss over the details. Small Wild Goose Pagoda ticket price is RMB 50 for adults (approx. $7 USD). But as a foreigner, you can't just scan a QR code and walk in. Here's the exact process I followed during my visit last spring.
You need to go to the ticket office at the main entrance (look for the building with signs saying "Ticket" in English). Don't bother with online platforms like Trip.com for instant entry—they often sell vouchers that require exchange at the counter anyway. Bring your passport. The staff will check it, issue a physical ticket, and sometimes take a photo for their records. It takes about 5 minutes if there's no line.
Scam alert: Touts near the gate offer "discounted tickets" for RMB 80 or more, claiming it includes a guide. It's a rip-off. The official ticket is only RMB 50, and there's no guided tour unless you book separately. I saw a couple get scammed—they paid double and got a fake receipt.
If you only have 4 hours before your high-speed train leaves from Xi'an North Station, here's a pro tip: Head straight to the ticket office, skip the museum if needed, and focus on the pagoda area. The ticket includes entry to the Xi'an Museum on-site, but it's easy to spend too much time there. The pagoda itself closes at 6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM), while the museum closes at 5:00 PM.
Inside the Pagoda: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Once you're in, the layout is straightforward but easy to miss the best spots. The area is divided into two main parts: the Xi'an Museum (west side) and the Pagoda and Garden area (east side). Most tour groups start at the museum and swarm the pagoda by mid-morning, so I recommend doing it in reverse.
Here's my time-stamped itinerary from a recent Wednesday visit:
- 2:00 PM: Enter from the main gate, buy tickets (used passport, no queue).
- 2:10 PM: Walk directly east to the pagoda. Ignore the museum for now—you can loop back later.
- 2:30 PM: Reach the Small Wild Goose Pagoda base. This is a 13-story brick pagoda from the Tang Dynasty. You can't climb it (it's closed for preservation), but the view from the courtyard is stunning. Best photo spot: Stand at the northwest corner of the pagoda, with the structure framing against the sky. The light hits perfectly in the afternoon.
- 3:00 PM: Explore the surrounding gardens. There's a bell tower and drum tower here. The bell tower has a massive iron bell—good for photos, but don't touch it; guards will shout at you (I learned that the hard way).
- 3:30 PM: Head to the museum. It's small but has cool artifacts like ancient Buddhist statues. Spend 45 minutes max if you're pressed for time.
- 4:15 PM: Exit via the south gate, which leads to a quieter street. Grab a drink from the vending machine near the third viewing platform—it accepts Alipay and costs the same as outside (RMB 5 for water). Don't buy water at the main gate shops; they charge RMB 8.
The whole visit took me about 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace. If you're with kids or moving slow, budget 3-4 hours. The toilets near the museum are decent, but the ones by the pagoda are basic—bring your own tissues.
The Best Time to Visit and How to Dodge Tour Groups
Most blogs say "go early in the morning," but that's when the tour buses arrive. From my experience, the sweet spot is between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The light softens, and the crowds thin out because tour groups leave by 3:00 PM to hit other spots like the Muslim Quarter. I visited on a Tuesday afternoon and had the pagoda courtyard almost to myself.
Avoid weekends and Chinese public holidays like National Day (October 1-7). I made the mistake of going on a Saturday once—it was packed, and the queue for tickets stretched for 30 minutes. Weekdays (Monday to Friday) are best.
Here's a trick: Tour buses park at the east entrance. After 3:00 PM, they start loading up. If you see buses, head to the west side near the museum—it's quieter. The guards don't mind you wandering, but stay on marked paths. I got scolded for stepping on the grass to get a better angle for a photo.
Photography tip: For the best shots without people, position yourself at the pagoda's south-facing side around 4:00 PM. The golden hour light filters through the trees, and you can capture the brick texture without tourists photobombing. Use a wide-angle lens if you have one.
The pagoda area is peaceful, but the museum can feel cramped. If you're claustrophobic, skip the underground exhibition hall—it's poorly ventilated. I felt dizzy down there and had to step out.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Based on my visits, prices and hours can change—check the official site or call ahead if you're unsure. The pagoda is a solid half-day trip from Xi'an, and with these tips, you'll avoid the common pitfalls. Don't overthink it; just bring your passport, some cash, and a sense of adventure.
Information is based on my personal experience as a long-term backpacker in China. Details like ticket prices and transport options may vary; verify locally before your visit.