Squarish rather than round, the seven-story Big Goose Pagoda (大雁塔, Dàyàn Tǎ) is one of China’s best examples of a Tang-style pagoda. It was completed in 652 CE to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the venerable monk Xuan Zang. You can climb the pagoda, but the glassed-in enclosures prohibit expansive views, so best to admire the structure from the ground.
The pagoda stands in the grounds of the Tang dynasty Daci’en Temple (大慈恩寺, Dàcí’ēn Sì), the entrance of which is about 500m south of Dayanta metro station. South of the temple is an open-air mall of shops, galleries, restaurants and public art; well worth a wander. To the north, there's a free Fountain & Music Show every night (9pm Mar-Nov, 8pm Dec-Feb) – arrive early for the best view.