Small Wild Goose Pagoda

Private Guided Tour to Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Beilin Museum

(3)
Beijing, China
Sightseeing Tours

About this activity

Explore two of Xi'an's most significant historical landmarks—the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a 13-story Tang Dynasty survivor, and the Beilin Museum (Stele Forest), home to over 11,000 ancient stone tablets and sculptures. This private 9-hour guided tour offers deep insight into China's imperial past, with expert commentary on architecture, calligraphy, and daily life across the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties.

Get a glimpse into Xi'an's past during a private tour to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Beilin Museum. While you visit, discover an impressive example of Tang Dynasty architecture and marvel at a sprawling collection of age-old stone steles and tablets that reveal ancient life and culture.

Meet your private guide at your hotel in the morning and hop into a vehicle to travel to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Set on the central axis of the Jianfu Temple, the pagoda is a surviving relic from the Tang Dynasty over 1,000 years ago. As you admire the 13-story structure, your guide explains how its current state came to be, in contrast with its original 15-story design. Stop in at the nearby Xian Museum as well to learn about the history of the city through ancient relics.

Your next stop after lunch is Beiling Museum, also known as Stele Forest for the incredible number of stone steles, epigraphs, and sculptures housed there. The museum, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty itself, boasts a collection of over 11,000 works from past eras, including the Han, Tang, and North Song Dynasties. Browse comprehensive exhibition halls full of the antique relics, and pour over inscribed tablets to learn about ancient lifestyles and religions in the area. After exploring the amazing works of art and culture in the museum, return to your hotel and turn in for the day.

Highlights

  • ✓Tang Dynasty pagoda with distinctive 13-story architecture and temple complex
  • ✓11,000+ stone steles, epigraphs, and carved sculptures spanning multiple dynasties
  • ✓Private guide explaining historical context and cultural significance
  • ✓Xian Museum visit to contextualize city history through artifacts
  • ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off with lunch break included

Insider tips

  • ★Visit early morning (around 8–9 AM start) to beat crowds at the Beilin Museum, especially on weekends; the stele galleries are quieter before midday
  • ★Wear comfortable walking shoes; both sites involve extensive standing and navigating exhibition halls with uneven stone floors
  • ★Ask your guide about specific steles or calligraphic styles beforehand if you have research interests—many tablets feature rare script forms

Good to know

  • •Private vehicle pickup from your Beijing/Xi'an hotel; confirm location at booking
  • •9-hour total duration includes lunch break; bring water and sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
  • •Photography permitted in most areas; some restricted zones in museum galleries—follow guide instructions
  • •Stele Forest can involve steep stone steps and narrow passages; limited wheelchair accessibility in exhibition halls

Who it's for

History enthusiasts and sinology students seeking deep-dive ancient China contextCulture and archaeology travelers interested in Tang Dynasty art and calligraphySmall-group travelers preferring private guides over large tour busesFirst-time visitors to Xi'an wanting to cover major historical sites efficiently

Best time to visit

October–November or March–April offer mild temperatures ideal for walking through outdoor temple grounds and museum galleries. Avoid summer heat (June–August) when temperatures exceed 30°C; winter (December–February) is dry but chilly. Start early to maximize daylight hours and avoid afternoon crowds.

Frequently asked questions

From
€349
per person