The Oxford definition of a statue is ‘an object made from a hard material, especially stone or metal, to look like a person or animal’. But you are not going to see the Statue of Liberty on this list. In fact, most people would have never even heard of the ten statues on this list. But they are indeed the worlds tallest statues and some of them are absolutely massive. If you have ever wondered what the tallest statues in the world are, this is the post for you…
10 – The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, China – Height: 79 m (259 ft)
The Grand Buddha is located on the north shore of Lake Tai, near Wuxi, Jiangsu. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in China and also in the world. The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is a bronze Amitabha standing Buddha outdoor, weighing over 700 metric tons. It was completed at the end of 1996.
9 – Awaji Kannon, Japan – Height: 80 m (260 ft)
The 80 meters tall World Peace Giant Kannon on Awaji Island is still listed among the biggest statues in the world. But the structure is currently abandoned and it starting to crumble away, but as long as it stands it will remain on this list.
8 – Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park, Japan – Height: 88 m (289 ft)
The Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park, also known as the Hokkaido Kannon, as well as the Byakue Kannon, is the third-tallest statue in Japan and the 8th on our list. It is the tallest statue of Nyoirin Kannon in the world.
7 – Great Buddha of Thailand, Thailand – Height: 92 m (302 ft)
The Great Buddha of Thailand, also known as The Big Buddha is the tallest statue in Thailand and the second tallest statue in Southeast Asia. The towering Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin of Wat Muang is one of the tallest statues in the world and is deservedly known as the ‘Great Buddha of Thailand’.
6 – Guishan Guanyin, China – Height: 99 m (325 ft)
The Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes is located in Ningxiang, Hunan province, and is the fourth-tallest statue in China, and the sixth-tallest in the world. The multiplicity of his eyes allows him to see the misfortunes of each and his 20 pairs of arms allow him to come to the aid of the greatest number of them.
5 – Sendai Daikannon, Japan – Height: 100 m (330 ft)
Sendai Daikannon, officially known as the Sendai Tendou Byakue Daikannon, is a large statue of Byakue Kannon bearing a gem in her hand located in Sendai, Japan. Standing at an impressive height of 100 meters (328 feet) and situated on top of a small hill, the statue can be easily seen from many places within Sendai City itself, including some residential estates.
4 – Ushiku Daibutsu, Japan – Height: 100 m (330 ft)
Ushiku Daibutsu is a statue located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Completed in 1993, it stands a total of 120 metres tall, including the 10 m base and 10m lotus platform. The statue held the record for the tallest statue from 1993–2008. As of 2018, it is down to the 4th position.
3 – Laykyun Sekkya, Myanmar – Height: 115.8 m (380 ft)
Located in the village of Khatakan Taung, near Monywa, Myanmar, the Laykyun Sekkya Buddha is, as of 2018, the third-tallest statue in the world at 116 metres. Construction began in 1996 and it was completed on 21 February 2008.
2 – Spring Temple Buddha, China – Height: 128 m (420 ft)
The Spring Temple Buddha is a colossal statue depicting Vairocana Buddha located in the Zhaocun township of Lushan County, Henan, China, built from 1997 to 2008. At the location site stands a massive Buddha statue atop a sixty-six feet tall lotus-shaped pedestal that also houses a working monastery.
1 – Statue of Unity, India – Height: 183 m (600 ft)
The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1951), who was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India and an adherent of Mahatma Gandhi during the nonviolent Indian Independence movement. The statue has emerged as an international tourist destination, offering multiple attractions for all age groups.
Have you visited any of these ten statues, or have at least seen them at a distance? If you have why not tell us about it in the comments below.