Tallest Statues in the World

TALLEST STATUES IN THE WORLD

1. Spring Temple Buddha - China [128 m (420 ft)]

The Spring Temple Buddha is a statue depicting Vairocana Buddha located in the Zhaocun township of Lushan County, Henan, China. It is located within the Fodushan Scenic Area, close to National Freeway no. 311. At 128 m (420 ft), which includes a 20 m (66 ft) lotus throne, it is the tallest statue in the world.

Spring Temple Buddha - China [128 m (420 ft)]

When the 25 m (82 ft) pedestal/building it is placed upon is taken into account, the monument has a total height of 153 m (502 ft). As of October 2008, the hill on which the statue stands is being reshaped to form two further pedestals, the upper one being 15 m tall. The total height of the monument is now said to be 208 m (682 ft).

The project as a whole was estimated to cost around $55 million, $18 million of which being spent on the statue. It was originally estimated to consist of 1,100 pieces of copper cast, with a total weight of 1,000 tonnes. Beneath the statue is a Buddhist monastery. Plans for the construction of the Spring Temple Buddha were announced soon after the 2001 demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban in Afghanistan. China has condemned the systematic destruction of the Buddhist heritage of Afghanistan.

The Spring Temple Buddha derives its name from the nearby Tianrui hot spring, which spews water at 60°C and is renowned in the area for its curative properties. The Foquan Temple, built during the Tang dynasty, houses the "Bell of Good Luck", placed on top of Dragon Head peak. This bronze bell weighs 116 tons.

2. Laykyun Setkyar - Myanmar [116 m (381 ft)]

The Laykyun Setkyar is the second tallest statue in the world at 116 m (381 ft). This statue of Gautama Buddha stands on a 13.5 metres (44 ft) throne located in the village of Khatakan Taung, near Monywa, Myanmar. Construction began in 1996 and was completed on 21 February 2008. It was built by the Chief Abbot Ven. Nãradã, who died on the 22nd of November, 2006.

Laykyun Setkyar - Myanmar [116 m (381 ft)]

3. Ushiku Daibutsu - Japan [120 m (394 ft)]

The Ushiku Daibutsu located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is the third tallest statue in the world. Completed in 1993, it stands a total of 120 m (394 ft) tall, including the 10m high base and 10m high lotus platform. An elevator takes visitors up to 85m off the ground, where an observation floor is located. It depicts Amitabha Buddha is made of bronze. It is also known as Ushiku ARCADIA (Amida's Radiance and Compassion Actually Developing and Illuminating Area). It was built to commemorate the birth of Shinran, founder of the Jodo Shinshu or "True Pure Land School" of Buddhism.

Ushiku Daibutsu - Japan [120 m (394 ft)]

4. Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya - China [108 m (354 ft)]

The Guanyin of the South Sea of Sanya is a 108 m (354 ft) statue of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (better known as Guanyin in East Asia), sited on the south coast of China's island province Hainan near the Nanshan Temple of Sanya. The statue has three aspects; one side faces inland and the other two face the South China Sea, to represent blessing and protection by Guanyin of China and the whole world. One aspect depicts Guanyin cradling a sutra in the left hand and gesturing the Vitarka Mudra with the right, the second with her palms crossed, holding a string of prayer beads, and the third holding a lotus. This is currently the fourth tallest statue in the world.

The statue took six years to build and was enshrined on April 24, 2005, with the participation of 108 eminent monks from various Buddhist groups in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China, and tens of thousands of pilgrims. The delegation also included monks from the Theravada and Vajrayana traditions.

Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya - China [108 m (354 ft)]

5. Emperors Yan and Huang - China [106 m]

The sculptures of the Emperors Yan and Huang are the fifth tallest statues in the world at 106 m. They depict two of the earliest Chinese emperors, Yan Di and Huang Di. The construction lasted 20 years and was completed in 2007.

They are located in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province, People's Republic of China. According to experts, the statues commemorate politics and the economy.

Emperors Yan and Huang - China [106 m]

6. Sendai Daikannon - Japan [100 m (328 ft)]

Sendai Daikannon, located in Sendai, Japan, is the sixth tallest statue in the world at 100 m (328 ft). An elevator takes tourists to the top of the statue, which depicts the Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva Kannon.

Sendai Daikannon - Japan [100 m (328 ft)]

7. Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes - China [99 m (325 ft)]

Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes is the seventh tallest in the world. This gilded bronze monument depicting Avalokitesvara stands 99 m (325 ft) tall, and is located in Weishan, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.

Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes - China [99 m (325 ft)]

8. Peter the Great Statue - Russia [98 m]

The Peter the Great Statue in Moscow was designed by the Georgian designer Zurab Tsereteli to commemorate 300 years of the Russian Navy, which was started by Peter I of Russia. It is the eighth tallest statue in the world. The designer Zurab Tsereteli is known as a friend and favorite of Moscow's former Mayor, Yury Luzhkov, and the artist has received many municipal art commissions in recent years, such as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Manege Square ensemble and the War Memorial Complex on Poklonnaya Gora.

The 98 m monument to Peter the Great designed by Zurab Tsereteli was erected at the confluence of the Moskva River and the Obvodnoy Channel in 1997.

Peter the Great Statue - Russia [98 m]

9. Great Buddha of Thailand [92 m (300 ft)]

The Great Buddha of Thailand, also known as The Big Buddha, The Big Buddha of Thailand, Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin, and Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn is the ninth tallest in the world.

Located in the Wat Muang Monestary in Ang Thong province, this statue stands 92 m (300 ft) high, and is 63 m (210 ft) wide. Construction commenced in 1990, and was completed in 2008. It is painted gold and made of cement.

Great Buddha of Thailand [92 m (300 ft)]

10. Grand Buddha at Ling Shan - China [88 m (289 ft]

The Grand Buddha is located at the south of the Longshan Mountain, near Mashan, town of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. It is tenth tallest in the world.

At more than 88 m high, the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is a bronze Sakyamuni standing Buddha outdoor, weighing over 700 tons. It was completed in the end of 1996.

In 2008, a "Five-signets" Palace and a Brahma Palace were built south-east of the grand buddha statue.