Top Ten World’s Tallest Statues

Thursday, 24th July 2014 by

The roster of the world's tallest statues is dominated by Buddhist figures, with most of the top ten (actually 11 because of a tie) being representations of the Buddha or Guanyin. While we've looked at Very Large Buddhas twice before 1, updated imagery means it's time for an expanded look at the world of colossal statuary of all kinds. Unfortunately, if anything the current satellite view of the largest - the Spring Temple Buddha in China - is less clear than it was when we first looked at it, though it does have an impressive shadow.

This statue was named for a nearby natural spring where the hot water supposedly has healing properties. The main figure is 108m (354') tall, though once the lotus throne and pedestal building are included, the total height is 153m (502').

The second tallest statue was under construction when we last visited it, but this Photosphere by Win Thu Aung shows the Laykyun Setkar in all its gold-plated magnificence. This statue in Myanmar stands 116m (381') with a 13m (44') pedestal.

Very Large Buddhist Statues

Just a few metres shorter is the Ushiku Daibatsu statue in Japan, which is covered by a series of connected Photospheres by Masato OTA.

Very Large Buddhist Statues

The 4th, 6th and 7th largest statues in the world are figure of Guanyin, a bodhisattva usually depicted as a female and revered for compassion or mercy. In China, the 106m (348') Guanyin of the South Sea of Sanya is just about visible on satellite view. One face of the 3-sided statue looks inland, while the other two gaze out over the South China Sea.

Very Large Buddhist Statues

The fifth tallest statue is also in China and is one of the two from our list not related to Buddhism. The 106m (348') dual figures of Emperors Yan and Huang can just about be seen, possibly still under construction, on satellite view.

World's Tallest Statues

Guanyin is known as Kannon in Japan, where the Sendai Daikannon is exactly 100m (330') tall, and has a lift to carry visitors to the top for a view of the surrounding area. We get an excellent view in both 45° imagery ...

Very Large Buddhist Statues

... and on Street View.

Very Large Buddhist Statues

Back in China, the gilded bronze Qianshou Qianyan Guanyin of Weishan (Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes) is just 1m (3') shorter, but sadly isn't visible on satellite view.

In Russia, the other non-Buddhist statue on our list is the grand monument to Peter the Great in Russia, which stands 96m tall (315').

World's Tallest Statues

Moving to Thailand, the Great Buddha of Thailand took 18 years to complete and is 92m (300') tall - the 9th tallest statue in the world.

Very Large Buddhist Statues

Finally, there is a tie for the 10th tallest statue in the world, both of which are 88m (289') tall. The Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park in Japan ...

Very Large Buddhist Statues

... and the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan in China. Photosphere by Patrick Jégu.

Very Large Buddhist Statues


  1. See Very Large Buddhas from 2006, and Very Large Buddhas (Redux) from 2009. ↩︎