AttractionWorth it

Xi'an Joy City: the mall with a pagoda view

西安大悦城Xī'ān Dàyuèchéng

Shop, then watch the pagoda light up from the roof terrace

5.3 km south of the Bell Tower

45 min–2½ hoursFreeLine 3 · Dayanta (大雁塔)Not required — walk upFact-checked 2026-10-08

Entry

Free

Hours

Mon–Sun · ≈10:00

Time needed

45 min–2½ hours

Metro

Line 3 · Dayanta (大雁塔)

Xi'an Joy City (西安大悦城) is the mall right beside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda's south square, and its best feature is not a shop but a view: the rooftop garden and 4th-floor terrace look straight across at the 1,300-year-old pagoda. Opened on 16 December 2018 by the COFCO-backed Joy City group, it has around 146,000 m² of retail on four floors above ground and two below, with brands such as ZARA, Uniqlo, MUJI, lululemon and Chanel beauty, a Bona IMAX cinema and a long list of restaurants. It is aimed at young locals, which makes it lively in the evening when the pagoda fountain show and the Grand Tang Ever-Bright City are next door. For visitors it works as a meal stop, a cool-down between sights, a Pop Mart run, or the place to watch the pagoda light up at dusk.

Why go

Rooftop garden and 4F terrace with one of the best views of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Two-minute walk to the pagoda's south square and the Grand Tang Ever-Bright City
Food floors and restaurants for a sit-down meal before or after the night show
Large Monkey King statue — a popular photo spot

Shops and entertainment

Fashion: ZARA, Uniqlo, MUJI, lululemon, Hollister, Sandro, Michael Kors
Beauty: Chanel and Estée Lauder counters
Bona IMAX cinema and a Sisyphe bookstore
Pop Mart blind-box store (per our China-haul guide)

Best time to visit

Late afternoon: shop, then catch sunset over the pagoda from the terrace
Weekday daytime is calm; evenings and holidays are packed
Pair with the Big Wild Goose Pagoda fountain show and an evening walk through Grand Tang Ever-Bright City

Getting there

Metro Line 3 or Line 4 to Dayanta station
1,300 parking spaces if you are driving
DiDi drop-off: ask for 西安大悦城 (Xi'an Dayuecheng)

Questions, answered

Where can I see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda from Joy City?

From the rooftop garden and the 4th-floor terrace, which face the pagoda across the south square. Restaurants on the same level also have pagoda views.

What are Xi'an Joy City's opening hours?

Generally 10:00–22:00 daily; individual restaurants may stay open later.

How do I get to Xi'an Joy City by metro?

Take Line 3 or Line 4 to Dayanta station and walk to the south side of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.