the tower sits inside the daci'en temple complex ("mercy and kindness"). the daci'en temple was built in 648 to honor the empress zhangsun. the temple complex is open to the public and it receives millions of tourists each year. it can be accessed from the da yan ta station of line 3 of the xi'an metro. one entrance is located at the northeast corner of the north plaza. a new entrance has opened during the end of 2017