If you are a lover of history, then the first thing other than monuments, you look for in a place are indolic references. In common words, I mean to say, statues. Statues add significantly to the cultural and historical aspects of any destination. For example, The statue of the Sphinx in Egypt, surely tells that mythological creatures were worshipped at that time; the statue of Christ, the Redemer at Rio de Janeiro, is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world.
Ancient forts and temples are adorned with statues. Some are small and some are skyrocketing, but each has its own uniqueness in terms of art and style of sculpting. Every one of these statues has a great story.
If you are interested in knowing about the biggest statues in the world, Here is a curated list of the tallest statues in the world in descending order of height.
Tallest Statues in the World
Here is the list of the tallest statues in the world that you must visit in your lifetime. This list is arranged in descending order of height. That means the Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world.
| Tallest statues in the world | Country | Height |
| The Statue of Unity | India | 182 meters |
| Spring Temple Buddha | China | 128 meters |
| Laykyun Sekkya Buddha | Myanmar | 116 meters |
| Ushiku Daibutsu | Japan | 120 meters |
| Sendai Daikannon | Japan | 100 meters |
| The Guishan Guanyin | China | 99 meters |
| Great Buddha of Thailand | Thailand | 92 meters |
| Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park | Japan | 88 meters |
| The Motherland Calls | Russia | 85 Meters |
| Awaji Kannon | Japan | 80 Meters |
| Grand Buddha at Ling Shan | Wuxi, Jiangsu, China | 79 Meters |
| Guanyin of Nanshan | Sanya, Hainan, China | 78 Meters |
| Bronze statue of Dizang at Mount Jiuhua | China | 76 Meters |
| Guanyin statue | Hong Kong | 76 Meters |
| Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue | Indonesia | 75 Meters |
1. The Statue of Unity
The tallest statue in the world now belongs to India. The Statue of Unity is a tribute to one of the greatest leaders of India, Sardar Patel, who was one of the leaders of India’s independence movement and the first Deputy Prime Minister of the country. Because of his efforts, the newly independent nation was not divided into smaller independent countries. He kept the unity of India intact. Therefore, the statue is a symbol of national unity, as Sardar Patel is known for his efforts to unify the country after independence.
The Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world. This statue is 182 meters tall and was completed within a span of 34 months and was unveiled on Patel’s birth anniversary in 2018. The statue was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar and was built by Larsen & Toubro, an Indian construction company. It is one of the dear projects of Prime Minister Modi. Before, the Statue of Unity, the Spring Temple statue of Buddha was the tallest statue in the world.
The Statue of Unity has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over India and the world. It has also become a symbol of national pride, with many Indians considering it as a tribute to the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Best time to visit:
Gujrat is hot during the summer till October. The ideal time to visit the Statue of Unity is from November to March, the weather will surely be pleasant at this time of year.
How to reach:
This largest sculpture on earth is located in Kevadiya in Gujrat, India and you can reach it by taking a train to Baroda and then a bus journey of 2 hours.
2. Spring Temple Buddha
In the second position comes the Spring Temple statue of Buddha. The statue is a clear depiction of Vairocana Buddha. The statue is located in the township of Zhacoun in Lushan County, in Henan, China. The statue was commissioned in 1997 and completed in 2008. It was built as a symbol of Buddhism and Chinese culture, and its construction was a collaboration between Chinese architects and engineers, as well as experts from Thailand and Taiwan.
The height of the statue is 128 meters and it has a 25 meters lotus throne. This statue derives its name from a nearby hot water spring named Tianrui hot spring which has restorative characteristics. The statue depicts Vairocana Buddha and is located in the Fodushan Scenic Area near the city of Zhaocun.
The statue is made of copper and steel and is coated with gold. It sits on a platform that contains over 100 tons of steel reinforcement and is anchored to the bedrock below. The statue is supported by a steel structure that helps to resist earthquakes and high winds.
The statue has become a major tourist attraction and draws visitors from all over China and the world. It has also become a symbol of Chinese Buddhism and culture, and its construction was seen as a major achievement in Chinese architecture and engineering.
Best time to visit:
Henan is located in central China and has a dry-humid climate. The favorable time to visit will be during the months of December to March.
How to reach:
To reach the statue, your first priority is to book trains from any major city in China with the help of a local Mandarin-speaking guide and reach the closest town of Lushan. From there bus services are available.
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3. Laykyun Sekkya Buddha
This statue of Buddha located in Myanmar is considered to be the third tallest statue in the world. The Laykyun Setkyar Buddha is a colossal statue located in the town of Khatakan Taung, near Monywa, in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar.
It stands at a height of 129 meters (424 feet), making it one of the tallest statues in the world. The statue was completed within a span of 12 years and was unveiled on 21st February 2008. The Buddhist pagodas and parks near the statues are mesmerizing and totally Instagram-worthy.
The statue has 31 floors inside and each depicts the 31 realms of life cycles as written in Buddhist scriptures. In front of the standing statue, there is also the reclining statue of Buddha.
The statue was built between 1996 and 2008 by a team of architects and engineers from Myanmar and Thailand. The project was sponsored by a wealthy businessman from Myanmar, who wanted to build a symbol of Buddhist faith and culture in the region.
Best time to visit:
Monywa has a humid climate until November, and there is rainfall till October. The period between December to March will be favorable for visiting.
How to reach:
The best way to reach Khatankhan Taung village is by taking a bus from Monywa which is easily accessible by train or road from Mandalay.
4. Ushiku Daibutsu
This Buddhist statue located in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan is the fourth tallest statue in the world.
The height of this Buddhist statue is 120 meters tall with a 10-meter lotus throne and an additional 10-meter base. The statue is made of bronze and was completed in 1993. The statue is a clear depiction of Amitabha Buddha. There is an elevator inside the statue which takes visitors to an observation floor. The statue is a tribute to the birth of Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu, or the “True Pure land school” of Buddhism.
The statue resembles a four-story museum. The first level is a sooky dark lobby that plays music as one enters. The eerie lobby also has a bright light shaft as the centerpiece, beyond which the elevators take the visitors to the next floor. The second level is called the “World of Thankfulness and Gratitude”. It emphasized Buddhist Scriptures. The third floor is called the “World of the Lotus Sanctuary” and has 3000 gold Buddhist statues. The final level is actually the windows looking out from the bosom of the statue towards the garden and the animal park.
The Ushiku Daibutsu is surrounded by a complex that includes a museum, a temple, and a restaurant. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the statue, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit any place in Japan will be during the springtime of March and April. You shall see the country blooming with cherry blossoms.
How to reach:
Ibaraki is well connected to Tokyo via trains. Once you reach Ibaraki, you can take a bus or a private jeep to Ushiku.
5. Sendai Daikannon
This statue is considered the tallest idol of the Nyoirin Kannon’s deity. The statue of the Goddess is adorned with gems and is located in Sendai, Japan. The height of the statue is 100 meters and got completed in 1991. To reach the zenith of the statue there is an elevator. The Bodhisattva Kannon is at the top which is a rendition of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
The statue is made of steel and is covered in white gold leaf. It depicts Kannon Bodhisattva, who is known as the Bodhisattva of compassion in Buddhism. The statue is surrounded by a large park and is located on a hill overlooking the city of Sendai.
The Sendai Daikannon has become a major tourist attraction and draws visitors from all over Japan and the world. It is also seen as a symbol of peace and compassion and is a popular destination for pilgrims and other religious travelers.
Best time to visit:
The spring months of February to April is the favorable time to visit Sendai.
How to reach:
To reach Sendai, take a flight to Tokyo and then reach Sendai via train. To visit the Kannon statue take a bus or a private car.
6. The Guishan Guanyin
The Guishan Guanyin of the thousand eyes and Hands is the sixth tallest statue in the world which has been gilded in bronze. In China, this Buddhist statue is considered to be the fourth tallest statue. The statue is designed to face the sea, embodying Guanyin’s compassion for all living beings.
This tall idol is 99 meters tall and depicts the Avalokitesvara. The statue is located in Weishan village at Changsha in the Hunan Province of China. It was started building in 2002 and was completed with the local government and religious institutions’ monetary investment in 2009. It was officially opened to the public in 2016.
The Guishan Guanyin statue has 33 levels, each representing one of the 33 forms of Guanyin in Buddhist teachings. Visitors can climb up to the 28th level of the statue, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. At the base of the statue, there is a large hall that houses a collection of Buddhist artifacts, including statues, scrolls, and other religious objects.
Best time to visit:
Hunan is located in southern China and has a humid climate till October, the favorable time to visit Changsha will be during the winter months of December to February.
How to reach:
Changsha is connected by railways from Beijing and Guangzhou city after which a bus or a car needs to be taken to reach Weishan village.
7. Great Buddha of Thailand
The Great Buddha of Thailand, which is also known as The Big Buddha, The Big Buddha of Thailand, Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin, and Mahaminh Sakayamunee Visejchaicharn is located in the Wat Muang temple in Ang Thong Province.
The construction of the statue started in 1990 and was completed in 2008. The statue is 92 m (300 ft) high and 63 m (210 ft) wide.
Best Time to visit:
You can visit this Great Buddha of Thailand any time around the year. The peak tourist time to visit this place is from December to January. If you don’t wanna face the crowd, the best time to visit this place is November and February.
How to reach:
The Great Buddha Statue is situated in Ang Thong which is a small town near Suphan Buri. If you are visiting Bangkok, then you can easily visit this place. In Bangkok, you can catch a bus to Ang Thong from Mochit bus station, and from Ang Thong bus stop take a bus to Wat Muang bus stop. After 10 Minutes, you will see the Great Buddha on your left-hand side. Stop the bus and get down. It will take 10 minutes to walk to reach the Great Buddha of Thailand.
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8. Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park
Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park is also known as Hokkaido Kannon and Byakue Kannon. It is the third-largest statue in Japan and the tenth-tallest statue in the world. It was the tallest statue at the time it was opened in 1989 and was the tallest until 1991.
This monument depicts the bodhisattva Guanyin or Avalokitesvara. The statue contains over 20 floors with an elevator and floors containing shrines and places of worship.
Best time to visit:
This statue is in Hokkaido, Japan. This place is a bit cooler than the rest of Japan. This place is worth visiting in both winter and Summer, but summer is the best season if you want to see Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park. So, the best months to visit this place are from April until August.
How to reach:
Hokkaido is in Japan that can be reached by flight. Flight from Tokyo takes around 1.5 hours. If you have time, then you can plan your trip by train. The only direct trains to Hakodate, Hokkaido are the overnight sleeper trains. It would take around 17 hours to reach there from Tokyo.
9. The Motherland Calls
The Motherland Calls or Rodina-mat’ zovyot! is also one of the tallest statues in the world. It was the tallest statue in 1967 at a height of 85 meters. It is also the tallest statue in Europe and the tallest statue of a woman in the world. This statue is dedicated to a woman representing the Motherland.
Best Time To Visit:
The best time to visit ‘The Motherland Calls’ Sculpture is in the months of May, September, and October. During these months, the weather remains OK with minimum rainfall.
How to reach:
This statue is located on Lenina Avenue, Mamayev Kurgan, Volgograd 400005, Russia. Volgograd is accessible by flight and train. You can board a flight to Volgograd International Airport or take a train to Volgograd.
10. Awaji Kannon
Awaji Kannon or World Peace Giant Kannon is an 80 meters tall statue that sits on a 5-story pedestal building that is 20 meters tall. This statue depicts Kannon, the popular Buddhist goddess known in Chinese as Guanyin. This statue was built in 1982 by a local businessman, Toyokichi Okunai. Nowadays, the statue is considered a safety hazard. So, no one is allowed inside.
Best Time to Visit:
The statue can be visited year-round, but the peak tourist season is from late April to early May when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Another good time to visit is in the fall, from late September to early November, when the leaves change color and the surrounding landscape is transformed into a vibrant display of reds, oranges, and yellows.
How to reach:
The statue is located right next to Route 28 which is the main road running down the coast from Higashiura towards Tsuna. It is located a short drive south of the gardens and the Westin Awaji Island Resort. You can easily reach here from nearby places including Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto, or Osaka.
11. Grand Buddha at Ling Shan
The Grand Buddha is located in the south of Longshan Mountain, near Mashan the southwest tip of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. It has 79m in height and the park in which it is situated is spread over an area of 30 hectares (74 acres). It is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world as well as in China. This park is famous for the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue.
Best Time to visit:
The best time to visit the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is during the spring and autumn months, from March to May and September to November, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller.
How to reach:
To reach the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, you can take a direct bus from Wuxi Railway Station, which takes approximately 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or hire a car from Wuxi city center. If you are coming from Shanghai, you can take a high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Wuxi East Railway Station and then take a bus or taxi to the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan.
Once you arrive at the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, there are several ways to explore the site. You can take a shuttle bus from the entrance to the base of the statue or walk up the hill to the statue, which takes around 20-30 minutes. You can also take the cable car, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area and takes approximately 10 minutes.
12. Guanyin of Nanshan
Guanyin of Nanshan is a 78 m statue (excluding the pedestal/building) of the bodhisattva Guanyin which is located on the south coast of China’s island territory Hainan near the Nanshan Temple of Sanya.
The Guanyin of Nanshan statue has three faces which are designed in such a way that one faces inland and two other faces the South China Sea.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit the Guanyin of Nanshan is during the winter months, from November to February when the weather is mild.
How to reach:
To reach the Guanyin of Nanshan, you can take a taxi or bus from Sanya, which takes approximately 40-50 minutes. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour that includes transportation and admission to the site.
13. Bronze statue of Dizang at Mount Jiuhua
The statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at Mount Jiuhua is 76 m (249 ft) high. Mount Jiuhua is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China and it is situated in Qingyang County, Chizhou City of Anhui Province.
14. Guanyin statue in Tsz Shan Monastery
Tsz Shan Monastery is a large Buddhist temple which is located in Tung Tsz, Tai Po District of Hong Kong. Guanyin statue is a Buddhist statue made of bronze that is located in this temple. It has 76 m (249 ft) in height and it is the second-highest Buddhist statue in the world.
15. Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is the tallest statue of a Hindu deity and the tallest statue in Indonesia. The total height of this statue is 121 m including the 46-meter pedestal base. But the height of the statue is 75 m (246 ft).
It was designed by Nyoman Nuarta and inaugurated in September 2018.
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These are the tallest statues in the world that have remarkable structures.
Experts’ Answers on FAQs:
A. The Statue of Unity at a height go 182 meters is the tallest statue in the world. This statue is a memorial to the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to India’s unity. It was inaugurated on October 31, 2018, which also marked the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
A. Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world. It has a height of 182 meters and is located in Gujrat, India.
A. Statue of Unity is the tallest statue of the world. It was made in memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The height of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue or Statue of Unity is 182 meters.
A. World’s tallest statue is the Statue of Unity. It has a height of 182 meters or 597 ft. The statue is built on the river island called Sadhu Bet near Vadodara.
A. India has the tallest statue in the world. The Statue of Unity located in Gujrat, India is the tallest statue with a height of 182 meters. The statue is built on the river island called Sadhu Bet near Vadodara.
Final Words
So, these are the tallest statues in the world. The new monument of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a height of 597 feet (182 meters) is the tallest statue in the world which is located in Gujrat, India. If you are into monuments and history, you must visit these largest sculptures on earth once.