The pagoda was built in 652 and back then had five stories. The pagoda was built to store sutras and figurines of Buddha, that were brought to China by the Buddhist translator and traveller Xuanzang.
In the beginning of 8th century under the ruling of Empress Wu Zetian five more storeys were added to the pagoda. Sadly wars on later times damaged the pagoda reducing its height to current seven storeys. It stands 64 meters tall and from the top it offers great view over the city of Xi'an.