All around the globe, there are sculptures that exist to wow people and to draw in tourists. There are sculptures that act as pieces of art, as places of worship, and more. While many of these can be found in museums, at quirky roadside attractions, and on beaches filled with talented sand artists, there are several that can be found very easily… as they stand hundreds of feet in the air.
Yes, statues and figurines that are larger than life can be so fun to add to bucket lists and to visit in real life, such as the 13 that are listed out down below. They are located in a variety of places. They were built at different times. And they are all easy to spot and impossible to miss, with these crazy heights!
13 A Statue Centered Around Unity… And The Biggest In The World
Up first is the Statue of Unity in the Narmada District of India. It was completed in 2018, and at 597 feet tall, it is the tallest statue in the world. It also shows off Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was known as Sardar Patel, who was a politician, who was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India and who lived between 1875 and 1950. One may want to use the world's largest airlines, in order to fly and see this.
12 A Buddha Next To A Hot Spring
Several of the figures on this list depict Buddha, including the Spring Temple Buddha; it can be found in Lushan, Henan, in China, it has been around since 2008, and it is 420 feet tall. As its name suggests, there is a spring nearby, and in particular, it is the Tianrui hot spring. The water here, which is about 140 °F, is known and used for its curative properties.
11 A Statue Of Gautama Buddha Near Myanmar
Next is another depiction of a Buddha and another sculpture that was completed in 2008. This one is called Laykyun Sekkya, and it is in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar. Its height reaches 380 feet, and it stands on a lotus throne.
10 One With A Four-Story Museum In It
Ushiku Daibutsu is located in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan. It is 330 feet tall. And it was the planet’s tallest statue from 1993 to 2008!
Inside, there are four stories that make up a museum, and there are levels devoted to Infinite Light and Infinite Life, World of Gratitude and Thankfulness, World of the Lotus Sanctuary and Room of Mt. Grdhrakuta.
9 Japan's Tallest Statue Of A Goddess
In the Miyagi Prefecture of Japan, travelers can find Sendai Daikannon; it also reaches up 330 feet, and it was the tallest statue on the globe from 1991 to 1993. Currently, it is the tallest statue of a goddess in Japan, as it shows off the Bodhisattva Kannon from Shingon Buddhism.
8 One Symbolizing A Thousand Hands & Eyes
The next statue on the list is called Qianshou Qianyan Guanyin of Weishan. It depicts Guanyin. It is located in China and, more specifically, in Weishan, Changsha, Hunan. Its height is 325 feet. It is made of gilded bronze. And it was completed in 2009.
7 A Statue That Was Voted The Tenth Ugliest Building On The Planet
The Peter the Great Statue can be found in Moscow, Russia, standing up 322 feet into the air.
And since its conception in 1997, it has been called the tenth ugliest building on the planet by Virtual Tourist and one of the ugliest statues on the planet by Foreign Policy magazine.
6 The Great Buddha Of Thailand
The Great Buddha of Thailand is, of course, in Thailand, and more specifically, it is in Ang Thong. Its height is 302 feet, it is a concrete statue that was painted gold, it was done in 2008, and it puts another Buddha on display (Gautama).
5 One With Over 20 Floors, Shrines, Places Of Worship & A Viewing Platform
Next, there is Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park in Ashibetsu, Hokkaidō, Japan. At 289 feet, it was the tallest statue around from 1989 to 1991.
Inside, there are more than 20 floors, there are shrines, there are places of worship, and there is a panoramic viewing platform.
4 A Sculpture That Has Been Copied On A Stamp, A Coin & In China
This is Rodina-Mat' Zovyot! That translates to The Motherland Calls. Yes, this sculpture, which has been around since the year 1967, is in Volgograd, Russia, and reaching 279 feet into the air, it is Russia’s and Europe’s tallest statue. Its design has also been copied on a postage stamp (almost as exciting as a Mister Rogers stamp), on a Ruble commemorative coin and for a sculpture in Manzhouli, China.
3 One That Will Be Demolished By The End Of 2022
Awaji Kannon is located on Awaji Island, which is in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan.
It is 260 feet tall, and since it now belongs to the Japanese government and is falling down, it will be torn down completely by the end of 2022.
2 A Buddha That Weighs Over 700 Tons
Let’s see what is next… The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is in Jiangsu, China. Its height reaches 259 feet, and it weighs in at over 700 tons! This particular sculpture has been around since 1996, and it also sits upon a lotus pedestal.
1 A Statue Holding A Sutra, Prayer Beads & A Lotus
Finally, there is the Guanyin of Nanshan, which can be found in Hainan, China. It is 256 feet tall and was completed in 2005. One of its sides shows Guanyin holding a sutra in one hand and gesturing the Vitaraka Mudra with the other hand. One side shows Guanyin with her palms crossed while grasping some prayer beads. And one side shows Guanyin holding a lotus.