Is the music fountain show at the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda worth seeing? Absolutely, especially if the Big Wild Goose Pagoda or Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is already on your itinerary.
At present, the show is free and runs four times a day, with each session lasting about 10 minutes. The evening fountain show is more impressive, with water jets dancing to the music and colorful lights, set against the illuminated Big Wild Goose Pagoda. So, the fountain show is best seen after dark.
The fountain show works best as part of an evening visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda area. Rather than crossing the city just for a 10-minute show, it’s better to combine the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, music fountain show (North Square), and Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City all in one route. A 3- to 4-hour visit is enough to explore this area and take in some of the best night views in Xi’an.
Content Preview
- Music Fountain Show at a Glance
- Music Fountain Show Times
- Is the Music Fountain Show Free?
- Best Viewing Spots for the Music Fountain Show
- Best Times to Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square
- Things to Do Before and After the Music Fountain Show
- How to Get to Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square
- Practical Tips
Music Fountain Show at a Glance
The music fountain show takes place at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square, just north of the Daci’en Temple.
The fountain area features multiple levels of stepped pools, with the tallest water jets reaching about 60 meters. As the music begins, water jets rise and fall to the rhythm. After dark, colorful lights illuminate the water jets against the lit-up pagoda, making the show more striking than during the day.
The music fountain show is a must-see attraction if you:
- Are visiting Xi’an for the first time and want to experience some of the city’s iconic nighttime attractions;
- Plan to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City on the same day;
- Enjoy nighttime scenery, photography, or family-friendly activities;
- Are looking for a free thing to do in Xi’an at night.
Experience Asia's largest music fountain at Big Wild Goose Pagoda, where water jets perform 22 synchronized styles from flying seagulls to lotus flowers against the night sky.
Music Fountain Show Times
Check the show schedule before you go, as times may change on certain days.
The current show schedule is:
- Noon show: 12:00–12:10
- Afternoon show: 16:00–16:10
- First evening show: 19:00–19:10
- Second evening show: 21:00–21:10
Note: Every Tuesday, the 12:00 and 16:00 fountain shows are suspended for routine maintenance. During Chinese public holidays, special events, and severe weather conditions (e.g., strong winds or heavy rain), fountain show times may change at short notice. Check the latest schedule before heading to the North Square.
Best Show Times
For the best experience, choose the 19:00 or 21:00 show. The dark sky makes the fountain lights stand out, while the illuminated pagoda provides a striking backdrop.
How Early Should You Arrive?
- Regular weekdays: Arrive 15–20 minutes before the fountain show starts.
- Weekends, summer vacation (July and August), and Chinese public holidays: Arrive at least 30 minutes in advance.
You only need to arrive earlier if you want a front-row viewing spot.
An enchanting evening tour through Xi'an's illuminated landmarks, from the Bell Tower Square to Asia's largest music fountain show at Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Is the Music Fountain Show Free?
Taking place in the North Square, the music fountain show is completely free — no tickets or reservations required.
Make sure you don’t mix up the following three attractions:
- North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Free to enter
- Music fountain show: Free, no ticket or reservation required
- Daci’en Temple admission and Big Wild Goose Pagoda climb: Both require separate tickets.
In other words, you don’t need a ticket if you are only visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda complex for the fountain show.
Best Viewing Spots for the Music Fountain Show
For first-timers, it’s best to stand around the pagoda’s central axis in the middle of the North Square for a full view of the fountain spectacular with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the background.
But the best viewing spot depends on what you want to see and do.
If you want to take photos or record a video:
For photos or videos, step back a little rather than standing right at the front. This makes it easier to frame the fountain show and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda into one shot.
If you are traveling with the elderly or kids:
The sides of the central viewing area are usually less crowded and offer easier access when leaving after the show.
If you want to avoid getting sprayed:
Check the wind direction and avoid standing directly downwind. On windy days, the fountain mist may drift towards the crowd, so keep an eye on your phone and camera.
One more safety tip: After the fountain show, the ground can be wet and slippery, so don’t rush to leave with the crowd, especially if you are traveling with the elderly or kids.
Spend 5 perfectly paced days in Xi'an, one of China's most famous ancient capitals, with a dedicated local guide exploring the Terracotta Army, the Ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Best Times to Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square
If you’d also like to visit the Daci’en Temple and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, it’s better to arrive around 15:00–16:00. If you only plan to go to the fountain show and the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, just arrive in late afternoon.
Suggested itinerary:
Arrival at 15:00–16:00 → Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Daci’en Temple → dinner/a break → 19:00 or 21:00 fountain show → South Square → Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City
Why is this timing best?
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda sits in the Daci’en Temple, which has fixed opening hours (the last entry time is 17:00). The North Square and Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City pedestrian street are best experienced after dark.
So, you can easily combine the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the fountain show together, and we highly recommend it.
If you plan to combine them, don’t visit the pagoda after the evening fountain show, as the temple may already be closed for entry by the time you finish the fountain show.
Seasonal tips:
- Spring/autumn: The weather is mild, so it’s better to arrive in the early afternoon.
- Summer: It can get hot during the day, so you can plan outdoor activities for the late afternoon or evening.
- Winter: It gets dark earlier, so you can enjoy the spectacular night scenes around the pagoda earlier in the evening.
Things to Do Before and After the Music Fountain Show
A variety of sights cluster around the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. So the best way to explore this place is not just seeing the fountain show, but planning a convenient evening route.
Before the Music Fountain Show: Big Wild Goose Pagoda + Daci’en Temple
It is advisable to set aside 1–2 hours. As an iconic landmark in Xi’an, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda dates back to 652 AD and is closely connected with the great monk Xuanzang and his translation of Buddhist scriptures. If you’d like to go up the pagoda, allow some extra time, as it may involve waiting in line and a slow climb.
After the Music Fountain Show: South Square + Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City
After the fountain show, walk south to the South Square to see the Xuanzang Statue with the illuminated Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the background. Keep walking south, and the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City comes into view.
The Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is a pedestrian street themed around Tang Dynasty culture. Spanning about 2,100 meters in length, it is one of Xi’an’s top night-tour areas, weaving together dazzling nighttime views, Tang-style buildings, interactive cultural activities, street performances, restaurants, and creative boutiques.
If the fountain show is canceled due to weather or maintenance, don’t rush off. The lit-up pagoda, South Square, and Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City together make for a great combination of Xi’an’s night activities.
How to Get to Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square
The easiest way to get to the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is by subway.
Subway (Top Choice)
Take Xi’an Metro Line 3 or 4 to Dayanta Station. Then leave the station via Exit B (southwest) or Exit C (southeast), and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Dayanta Station is a transfer station between Metro Lines 3 and 4. From Xi’an North Railway Station, you can take Line 4 directly to Dayanta Station, with no transfers.
Taxi / DiDi
When you book a taxi or car via DiDi (like Uber), type the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔北广场) as your destination.
Don’t just type the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), or else the driver may drop you off near the South Square or other entrances.
Getting Around After the Fountain Show
- If you plan to head to the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, don’t rush to take a taxi. Just walk south.
- After the popular evening fountain shows, the traffic nearby can get heavy. If you plan to get to the Bell Tower, your hotel, or another part of downtown, taking the subway is usually a better option. Just keep in mind: if you plan to see the 21:00 fountain show, check the last metro time for the day.
Practical Tips
Don’t insist on standing at the front.
The front row can get sprayed by the fountain water, so stepping back a little can give you a better view for taking photos while keeping you dry.
Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes.
The ground around the fountain can get slippery, and wandering through the entire Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City is quite a walk.
Don’t mix up the fountain show with Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City performances.
The fountain show runs at fixed times, while the schedules of some interactive performances in the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City are subject to change. So it’s best to check both schedules.
Check the latest official fountain show schedule on rainy days.
The fountain show usually goes ahead in light rain, but it may be canceled if there is heavy rain, strong wind, or any safety issue with the fountain equipment.
