Top 20 Tallest Statues in the World

Kings and rulers of the past and present build statues to commemorate an incident or a personality. Sometimes, it is nothing more than just a reminder and pride of the reign. Naturally, these statues stand to get more attention from people and turn into tourist destinations. May it be hundreds of feet tall or just a few meters; a statue will be celebrated only if there is no room for error.

Here are the Top 20 Tallest Statues in the World:

1. Statue of Unity, India

This colossal statue is built to honor the first home minister of the country. The statue is more than just a mass of metal and minerals. It holds a viewing point, museum, exhibition area, memorial garden, maintenance area, audio-visual gallery and much more. Within the first 11 days of opening, more than 128 thousand tourists visited this statue. Given the height and mass of the statue, it could be seen anywhere within 7 km radius of the statue.

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Get Complete Info : Statue of Unity – World’s Tallest Statue in India

2. Spring Temple Buddha, China

This grand statue of Gautama Buddha stands on a small hillock, which is chiseled into small pedestals, adding more height to the statue. Right below the statue is an elegant Buddhist monastery, which is a famous tourist destination, today. This statue was built with 1,100 pieces of copper cast, weighting to a total of 1000 ton. The statue gets its name from Tianrui hot spring, close to the statue. This spring water is said to be at 60 degree C, throughout the year.

Also Read : Top 10 Most Popular Buddhist Monasteries in India

Suggested Tour : 14 Days – Buddhist Tour with Nepal and India

3. Laykyun Sekkya Buddha, Myanmar

This figure stands on a large crown. Every element of Buddha is carved in detail in this structure. This statue was solely built using the donation made by local people. The statue holds a temple and a special elevator that takes up to the 27^thfloor. The region surrounding the statue is filled with garden containing 9000 Bodhi trees.

Read More : 10 Most Famous Buddhist Temples In India

4. Guanyin of Nanshan, China

This is the second tallest statue of the country. This statue is located in a scenic tropical island of China. This statue is dedicated to the goddess of Mercy. The statue has three sides and one of them is facing inland, while the others are facing South China Sea. During the opening ceremony of this statue, 108 monks performed rituals and it was witnessed by several thousand tourists.

5. Emperors Yan and Huang Statue, China

This statue is carved on top of a mountain on Yellow River. It took 20 years for completing this statue. Yan Di was one of the first emperors who ruled China. He ruled the country, 4000 years ago. Huang Di is a glorified hero and a famed emperor of the country.

6. Ushiku Daibutsu, Japan

This statue of Buddha stands on a lotus platform. This statue stands amidst a colorful garden. The main material used for the structure is bronze. Total weight of the structure is 4000 ton. It is said that the location of the statue is the spot where Amit?bha Buddha attained enlightenment. For centuries, this location is considered as a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrimage. An elevator inside the statue takes you to the observation deck, to get a panoramic view of the park and the city.

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7. Sendai Daikannon, Japan

Nyoirin Kannon is one of the goddess of Japanese culture. This is the second tallest statue of a goddess in the world and the tallest statue of Nyoirin Kannon in the world. The statue holds an elevator, which takes you to the top of the statue. The statue of the goddess is carved with a gem in the hand. This gem is said to be ‘wishing gem’ or ‘wish-fulfilling Kannon’.

8. Guishan Guanyin, China

This statue is dedicated to the goddess of thousand hands and thousand eyes. This statue is made entirely with gilded bronze. The regions around the statue are filled with gardens, picnic spots and strolling area. It is not possible to ascend the statue, but you can spend refreshing time around it.

9. Peter the Great Statue, Russia

This controversial statue was voted as the 10^th ugliest statue of the world. This statue was built to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of establishing Russian Navy. The statue weight 1000 ton with 600 ton of stainless steel and remaining of copper and bronze. This statue is located on the confluence of Vodootvodny Canal and Moskva River in Central Russia.

10. Great Buddha of Thailand

This tallest statue of Thailand is made of concrete and painted in gold. This statue holds Buddha in meditating pose. It is said that this statue was built to celebrate the King Bhumibol of Thailand. It was commissioned by the first abbot of the temple Wat Muang. Faithful Buddhists from around the country donated money for the statue. It is also called as the Big Buddha, Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn, Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin and the Big Buddha of Thailand.

Read More : Top 10 Asian Countries for Best Tourism Experience

11. Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park, Japan

This is the third tallest statue of the country and it held the title of being the tallest statue until 1991. This statue contains an elevator and 20 floors. These floors hold different temples and places of worships for different Buddhism deities. There is also a viewing platform to get a good view of City Ashibetsu and regions around the statue. This statue is located on the island of Hokkaido, which is now an important tourist destination and pilgrimage site.

12. Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, China

This is one of the largest statues of Buddha in standing posture, made of bronze. The total weight of the statue is 700 ton and it stands on a bronze lotus pedestal. Later, a palace was built closer to the statue. Tourists have to climb a flight of stairs to reach the statue. Around the statue, a well-maintained garden can be seen. It is filled with statues of Buddha. The statue holds the largest bell of South China. This bell is struck only during the Chinese New Year. This 12-ton bell sound is said to bring luck to those who hear it.

13. The Motherland Calls, Russia

This statue is dedicated to the Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted for 200 days. The statue has 200 steps leading to it. The statue holds the grave of Marshal Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov, who killed 225 German soldiers and their allies during the Battle of Stalingrad. The female in the statue is emblemized as Russian Motherland, calling out its sons and daughters to pick up the sword and fight for the nation. This hollow statue is held by pre-stressed concrete and wire ropes. Inside the statue, you can find many chambers and sculptures. After sunset, the statue is illuminated with floodlights. The statue is now celebrated in postage stamps and coins of the country.

14. Awaji Kannon, Japan

This large white statue can be seen from any part of the island. A private businessman built this statue out of his fortune. After the construction, it held a large museum, observation deck and space for businesses. After years of abandonment, the statue is now closed to public. You can watch the statue from a distance.

Location – Awaji Island of Japan

Height – Statue: 80 meter or 260 feet

Year Of Completion – 1982

Dedicated To– Goddess Kannon

15. The Motherland Monument, Ukraine

This statue is made of stainless steel. This statue holds a shield with the Soviet Union’s State Emblem. The flame of the statue is lit on national holidays. The statue is a part of the museum of History of Kiev. The mosque holds a plaque, which has the names of all the 11,600 soldiers who fought in the war. At the foothills, you can find traditional flower exhibitions. It is said that after construction, the sword of the statue was bigger than the cross of Kiev PecherskLavra. Thus, it is commissioned to be cut short.

16. Guanyin of Mount Xiqiao, China

Guan Lin is the Chinese version of Avalokitesvara. This bronze statue stands on a bronze pedestal, surrounded by a moat. The statue stands on Mount Xiqiao and is surrounded by Guanyin Cultural Park. This park holds strolling area, rock sites, caves, picnic spots, sightseeing destination and so on. You can find shuttle buses to the top the mountain from the foothills.

17. Aizu Jibo Dai Kannon, Japan

This white statue is hollow in the middle, containing a spiral staircase, which takes you to the shoulder of the lady. You can find many windows to get a grand view of the hill and the surrounding regions. This statue is believed to bring good luck for pregnant women, young looking for love matches and blessing for newborns. The region around the statue is filled with garden decorated with statues, flowerbeds and herb lines. You can find an array of cherry trees too. This is a good spot for picnic.

18. Tokyo Wan Kannon, Japan

This statue gives a grand spot for a spectacular view of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay. To reach the top of the statue, you need to ascend 324 steps. Make sure to visit on a clear day to get a commanding view of the surroundings. The regions around the statue are filled with garden, picnic spots, grasslands and much more.

19. Usami Dai - Kannon, Japan

This statue is located on the Usami Kannonji temple, a hill temple. This is one of the tallest sitting statues of the country. This temple holds many Buddhism mandalas and is an important religious destination of the country. One cannot ascend the statue and it is merely a decorative aspect of the temple.

Location – Usami Kannonji temple, Shizuoka, Japan

Height – Statue: 50 meter or 160 feet

Year Of Completion – 1986

Dedicated To – World peace

20. African Renaissance Monument

This is the tallest statue of Africa. The statue shows a male figure, holding a female figure in one hand and raising a baby on his another. This statue is entirely made of Bronze and is heavily criticized for its style, contract to North Korean company, expense and semi-nude figures.

Apart from these, there are numerous other statues around the world with exclusive history and extraordinary beauty. These statues might stand as a reminder of this era, for generations that arise many centuries from today. This list is not permanent. Many changes would occur very soon. Many new names will be added to the list and India is on the mark to build another world’s tallest statue (Source).

Location – Ouakam suburb, Dakar of Senegal

Height – Statue: 49 meter or 160 feet

Year Of Completion – 2010

Dedicated To – Independence of the country from France