Originally built about 1700 years ago, Famen Temple which houses the finger bone of Sakyamuni Buddha, is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in China. If you are interested in Buddhist culture and planning a day trip to somewhere outside Xi’an, Famen Temple is an ideal choice. It is located in Fufeng County, Baoji City, about 120 km (74.6 miles) away from Xi’an.

We suggest you set out early today. You can take subway line 1 and get off at Hanchenglu Station, where you'll find the West Xi’an Bus Station less than 100 meters away. There are direct buses run to Famen Temple from this station. It is recommended that you take the earliest bus leaving at 09:00. The ticket fare is CNY 37.5 per person. There is also a tourist special bus running from the west gate of Tang Paradise to the temple. If you buy the ticket for Famen Temple, you can take the bus for free; you can enjoy free round-trip transfer if you buy the tickets for both Famen Temple and Tang Paradise. In travel high season (Mar.- Oct.), the fare is CNY 120 per person and tickets are available from 08:00, and the bus departs at about 09:00 from the Tang Paradise; in low season (Nov.- Feb.), the fare is CNY 90 per person and the tickets are available from 08:30, and the bus departs at about 09:30. The bus journey from Xi’an to Famen Temple takes around 2 hours.

The present site covers a total area of around 66,660 square meters (about 16.5 acres) and consists of 24 courtyards and a subterranean palace housing numerous treasures and relics. It is really big, so you need to get ready to some walk with a pair of comfortable shoes. The old Famen Temple Pagoda complex and Famen Temple Museum are focuses of most visitors. Besides, it is worth noting that the finger bone relic is only on display every weekend, public holidays and the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month. Normally it takes about 3 hours for a comprehensive visit. Catch the bus leaving Famen Temple at 14:40 or 15:30 back to West Xi’an Bus Station. Or you may take the tourist special bus back to the Tang Paradise. This bus starts to sale return ticket from 14:30 and it leaves as soon as the seats are fully occupied. Remember that the bus stop is at the parking lot near to the old pagoda complex.

Upon returning to Xi’an, we suggest you continue your trip to the Bell and Drum Tower as well as the Muslim Quarter. From the West Xi’an Bus Station, you can take subway line 1 to Beidajie Station, and change to Subway line 2 to the Bell Tower. If you get off the tourist special bus at west gate of the Tang Paradise, you may take bus No. 609 to the Bell Tower bus station. You can enjoy the outstanding appearance of the Bell Tower from afar. If you want to enjoy some city views, you may also ascend the tower. When the lights are on in the evening, the area forms a kind of beauty of the city. Both of the Drum Tower and the Muslim Quarter are within a few minutes walking distance from the Bell Tower. When wandering through the Muslim Quarter at leisure, you can try the unique local food and buy some souvenirs.