13/11/2023

World's Largest & Most Majestic Statues

The World's 10 Tallest Statues

All around the world, statues have been built since antiquity. In addition to serving as a constant reminder of the planet's past, present, and potential future, statues are essential for advancing the tourism sector. Many of these taller statues are either representations of famous people or are connected to significant historical events. These statues are tall enough to serve as the main attractions in the city they are situated. The following article discusses the top ten tallest statues in the world:

Behold the World's Largest and Most Majestic Statues

There are thousands of public works of art around the world and many impress and surprise with their creativity and size. Whether carved in rock or covered in marble, dripping with gold or made from plants, these are some of the biggest, tallest and most awe-inspiring statues and sculptures on Earth:


All of the world’s tallest statues are in Asia
Spring Temple Buddha, China – 502 feet

Even if you haven’t been to any of the world’s most famous statues, you can probably name a few. The Statue of Liberty in New York, Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, and Nelson’s Column in London are all renowned for pulling in thousands of tourists a year.

Statues hold historical and cultural significance because let’s face it, you don’t get a statue erected of you for menial things. Some people visit famous landmarks to snap a picture and claim bragging rights. Others go to pay respect to the person or cause the statue was created for.

Whatever the reason, there’s no denying they play a big part in the tourism industry, and Asia is home to the world’s tallest. Some you may know, maybe even been to, others might be on your bucket list. Here are the ten tallest statues in the world, and they all happen to be in Asia


Leshan Giant Buddha 樂山大佛
A UNESCO World Natural & Cultural Heritage Site

Sitting on the confluence of three rivers in Leshan, the 71-meter-high Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest Maitreya Buddha statue carved out of a cliff in the world. Ancient wisdom and regilious faith of Buddhism created the giant and magnificent cultural treasure, and now is world-known as an amazing UNESCO Natural & Cultural Heritage property in Leshan, nearby Chengdu. Leshan Giant Buddha is the main attraction in Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, which was listed as a World Natural & Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 together with Mount Emei. Located at the joint of Minjiang River, Dadu River and Qingyi River, Leshan Giant Buddha is sitting facing Leshan City across the river and it’s the largest cliff rock carving Maitreya Buddha statue in the world.

In ancient Tang Dynasty (8th century AD), the water at the joint of the three rivers was very fierce and boats were often capsized here. Thus, to slow down the water flow, Monk Haitong recruited craftsmen to build the Giant Buddha. It was first carved from AD 713, and when carving the shoulder of the Buddha, Haitong passed away. After the death of Haitong, the project was suspended for a long time. Few years later, the apprentice of Haitong continued to build the Giant Buddha with the donation of local government officer Zhangchou Jianqiong. The project was suspended again when the knees were just completed. Forty years later, the project was continued again, and after the efforts of three generations, the Giant Buddha was finally completed in AD 803. So, this huge project totally took about 90 years to complete. The Giant Buddha was carved from the Lingyun Mountain, with its head reaching to the mountain top and its feet standing next to the river. The total height is 71 meters; while the head is 14.7 meters high and 10 meters wide, ear is 7 meters long, nose is 5.6 meters long, mouth and eyes are 3.3 meters long, 28 meters tall between knees and insteps. Its insteps can hold over a hundred people. There are 1021 spiral coils on the Buddha head, and they were all stones inlayed onto rocky head. Two over 16-meter tall Virudhakas stand by side on cliff to protect the Giant Buddha.

The Giant Buddha is sitting in the open air, and the weather of Leshan is humid. You must be curious why the Giant Buddha has been preseved so well under such natural conditions. The secret is its ingenious design. There is a delicate and invisible drainage system which played an important role in protecting the Giant Buddha from corrosion. Among the 18 layers spiral coils on the Buddha head, the 4th layer, 9th layer and 18th layer have one cross drainage; the drainage from the left side in front of the chest is connecting to the back drainage of the right arm; there are cave one the back side (the side near the mountain) connecting the two ears. These caves and drainages have composed the scientific drainage, moisture proof and ventilation system. Besides, the local government will renovate the Giant Buddha statue irregularly to restore the broken parts, clean the Buddha, change materials, and eminilate safety risks. Besides the sitting Giant Buddha, Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has many other wonderful attractions.
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