20 Largest Statues in the World

Humans have been building massive statues for thousands of years, but modern engineering has taken things to absurd new heights. The world’s tallest statues are no longer ancient wonders either. Today they’re contemporary constructions using steel, concrete, and increasingly competitive national pride. Countries seem to be in an unofficial competition to build the biggest figure possible, with new record-breakers appearing every few years.

Most of these colossal statues are religious figures, though a few commemorate political leaders or cultural symbols. They require massive budgets, years of construction, and engineering that pushes the limits of what’s structurally possible.

20. Guanyin of Mount Xiqiao, China, (77 m / 253 ft)

This enormous Guanyin statue sits atop Mount Xiqiao in Foshan’s Nanhai District, Guangdong. The statue itself stretches up 62 meters, perched on a 15-meter lotus pedestal for a total of 77 meters.

Guanyin sits serenely, watching over the area. If you visit, get ready to climb plenty of stairs—though the view at the top is honestly worth the sweat.

The place buzzes with both tourists and people attending religious ceremonies. You’ll wander past tidy roads, intricate stonework, and wooden carvings. It’s a favorite for both locals and out-of-towners exploring Guangdong.

19. The Motherland Calls, Russia, (85 m / 279 ft)

This colossal statue dominates Volgograd, Russia, standing atop Mamayev Kurgan hill. Builders created it to honor the Battle of Stalingrad from World War II. Back in 1967, when it was finished, it actually became the world’s tallest statue. The whole thing reaches 85 meters (279 feet) from the base to the sword tip.

The figure shows a woman striding forward, sword raised high—Motherland herself, calling people to defend their country. She stands 52 meters tall, with the sword adding another 33 meters. Workers spent eight years on this project, starting in 1959. Its hilltop spot means you can see it from miles away. Even now, it’s the world’s tallest female figure if you don’t count the base.

18. Hokkaido Kannon, Japan, (88 m / 289 ft)

The Dai Kannon at Kita no Miyako park rises 88 meters above Ashibetsu, Hokkaido. People call it Hokkaido Kannon or Byakue Kannon too. When it opened in 1989, it actually topped the charts as the tallest statue worldwide, though it only held the record for two years. Planning started in 1975, and construction took 14 years to finish.

This statue shows Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of peace and hope. You’ll find her standing tall in Kita no Miyako park. The project cost a fortune, but you can still visit and see her for yourself.

17. Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, China, (88 m / 289 ft)

This towering bronze Buddha stands near Taihu Lake in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. Workers finished it in 1996, and it weighs over 700 tons. The statue’s total height reaches 88 meters, including a 9-meter lotus base. It’s one of the tallest outdoor bronze Buddha statues anywhere.

You’ll find it on Small Lingshan Mountain, flanked by Green Dragon and White Tiger Mountains. This spot once held an ancient temple from the Tang and Song dynasties. When you visit, check out the Brahma Palace, built nearby in 2008. The statue anchors a huge scenic area with gardens and temples—about 30 hectares in all.

16. Great Buddha of Thailand, Thailand, (92 m / 302 ft)

This huge golden Buddha sits at Wat Muang temple in Ang Thong Province, roughly 140 km north of Bangkok. The Great Buddha reaches 92 meters high and stretches 63 meters across. Construction began in 1990 and wrapped up in 2008. They built it from concrete and painted it gold, so it really pops against the sky.

It’s Thailand’s tallest statue, and in Southeast Asia, only one statue is taller. Locals call it Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin. When you visit Wat Muang, you’re getting more than just a giant statue. The temple’s rural setting draws visitors who want to see this record-breaker up close.

15. Statue of Liberty, United States, (93 m / 305 ft)

The Statue of Liberty stands proudly on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. France gifted this icon to the United States. Sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed it, and Gustave Eiffel’s workshop built the metal frame.

The statue reaches 305 feet (93 meters) from the ground to the torch tip. Without the pedestal, Lady Liberty herself stands 151 feet (46 meters) tall. That green patina? It’s just copper weathering over time.

You’ll see a robed woman with a crown, torch in her right hand, and a tablet in her left. The tablet’s date—July 4, 1776—marks the Declaration of Independence. The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It’s still one of the world’s most recognizable symbols.

14. Peter the Great Statue, Russia, (98 m / 322 ft)

The Peter the Great Statue towers 98 meters above central Moscow, where the Moskva River meets the Vodootvodny Canal. Bronze sculptor Zurab Tsereteli created this monument. It opened in 1997 to mark the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy. The statue shows Tsar Peter I at the helm of a sailing ship.

Locals are split on this statue. Some love it, others think it’s an eyesore. That debate’s been going strong since the day it opened. The riverside spot attracts plenty of tourists. You’ll get good views of the river and can watch boats drifting by while you’re there.

13. Mother of All Asia, Philippines, (98.15 m / 322 ft)

The world’s tallest Virgin Mary statue stands in Batangas City, Philippines. The Mother of All Asia – Tower of Peace reaches 98.15 meters (322 feet) to the tip of the cross on her crown. Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo crafted the hands and face. Builders used concrete and steel for the monument.

The statue sits at the heart of Montemaria International Pilgrimage and Conference Centre, an eight-hectare site. It serves as a pilgrimage destination and has multiple floors, with about 12,000 square meters of space inside. She stands for unity and peace across Asia and the world. The statue’s even taller than the Statue of Liberty and Christ the Redeemer.

12. Guishan Guanyin, China (99 m / 325 ft)

This enormous bronze statue rises in Ningxiang, Hunan province, at Miyin Temple. Workers finished it in 2009. It shows Guanyin, the Buddhist figure of compassion.

The “Thousand Hands and Eyes” name comes from the intricate bronze design. Each hand and eye means Guanyin can see suffering and help people. The statue stands on a 22-meter base, boosting its already massive presence.

It’s China’s fourth-tallest statue. The gold-tinted bronze catches sunlight at different angles, so it’s hard to miss from afar.

11. Dizang of Mount Jiuhua, China (99 metres (325 ft)

You’ll spot this massive statue perched on Mount Jiuhua in China’s Anhui Province. The statue itself stands 76 meters tall, but with the pedestal, it hits 99 meters. If you count the staff in its hand, the whole thing stretches up to 109.9 meters.

The statue honors Kṣitigarbha, a bodhisattva who plays a big role in Buddhist tradition. It sits right in Huashan Dayuan Cultural Park, not far from Qingyang County.

Workers spent about a decade building it, racking up a cost of roughly 1.5 billion yuan. Mount Jiuhua, with its 99 scattered peaks, carries deep meaning for Buddhists. Folks consider it the traditional home of Dizang Bodhisattva, so putting the statue here just feels right.

10. Sendai Daikannon, Japan (100 meters / 328 feet)

Built in 1991, Sendai Daikannon depicts the Buddhist goddess of mercy holding a wish-granting jewel. The white statue dominates the Sendai skyline and was the tallest statue in the world when completed, though it’s since been surpassed by increasingly ambitious projects.

Visitors can enter the statue and climb up through twelve levels representing the zodiac, with each floor containing different Buddhist statues and artifacts. An elevator takes you partway, but stairs are required for the rest. The observation deck near the top offers panoramic views of Sendai and the surrounding mountains.

9. Mother Ukraine, Ukraine (102 meters / 335 feet)

Mother Ukraine has been towering over Kiev since 1981. She proudly holds a sword in one hand and a shield bearing the Soviet coat of arms in the other, not unlike statues in yerevan and Tbilisi, just much, much bigger.The stainless steel figure was built during Soviet times as part of the Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II.

After Ukrainian independence, there were discussions about removing or altering the Soviet symbols, but the statue has remained largely unchanged. An observation deck sits inside the statue’s shield at 91 meters high, offering views of the Dnieper River. The sword alone weighs 9 tons and stretches 16 meters long. She certainly is one touch cookie!

8. Emperors Yan and Huang, China (106 meters / 348 feet)

On a peaceful mountainside in Henan Province sits thes twin busts of China’s legendary founding emperors, which took 20 years to complete, finishing in 2007. You might say it is the Chinese answer to Mount Rushmore as it is also carved directly into the rock. The figures represent the mythological ancestors of all Chinese people, and the monument celebrates Chinese cultural heritage.

Unlike freestanding statues, these enormous heads emerge from the cliff face itself. The scale is difficult to comprehend until you realize each head is taller than the Statue of Liberty. Trees have been planted on parts of the sculpture to integrate it with the natural landscape, making it look like the emperors are bound by nature.

7. Guanyin of Nanshan, China (108 meters / 354 feet)

Completed in 2005 on Hainan Island, Guanyin of Nanshan depicts the Buddhist goddess of mercy with three aspects: one face looking inland and two facing the South China Sea. The statue sits on a man-made island connected to the shore, surrounded by ocean on three sides.

The three-sided design allows the goddess to watch over all directions, blessing both land and sea. This construction required some pretty advanced engineering as it is builr on an artificial island exposed to typhoons and salt water. The statue’s epic proportions has helped it become a major pilgrimage site for Chinese Buddhists and a popular tourist destination in Hainan.

6. Cristo Rei, Portugal (110 meters / 361 feet)

Lisbon got its own mega statue more than half a century ago when Cristo Rei was completed in 1959. It closely resembles Rio’s Christ the Redeemer but stands significantly taller including its pedestal. The statue was commissioned by Portuguese bishops as thanks for sparing Portugal from World War II’s worst devastation.

The figure stands atop a 75-meter pedestal that contains a chapel and observation deck. From across the Tagus River, Cristo Rei dominates the skyline, arms outstretched over Lisbon. The views from the base are spectacular, encompassing the entire city, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the Atlantic beyond.

5. Birth of the New World, Puerto Rico (110 meters / 361 feet)

Sculptor Zurab Tsereteli created this controversial statue in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, depicting a conquistador sailor holding a cross and steering wheel. It was finished in 2016 and it was initially rejected by several cities before finding a home in Puerto Rico. They surely regret it now!

The statue sparked immediate controversy for celebrating colonialism in a territory that suffered under colonial rule. Critics argue it glorifies the conquest that devastated indigenous populations while supporters claim it represents exploration and cultural exchange. Regardless of the debate, the bronze and concrete giant now stands as one of the Caribbean’s most visible and divisive monuments.

4. Ushiku Daibutsu, Japan (120 meters / 394 feet)

Ushiku Daibutsu held the record as the world’s tallest statue for over a decade after it was completed in 1993. The bronze-plated figure depicts Amitābha Buddha standing on a lotus platform, with one hand raised in a gesture of reassurance.

You can enter the statue and take an elevator to viewing platforms inside the body so your legs won’t be too mad if you visit this one. The interior contains four floors with religious artifacts, meditation rooms, and small Buddhist statues. From the observation deck at 85 meters, you get sweeping views of the Kanto Plain. The sheer scale becomes apparent when you realize the statue’s thumb alone is taller than most people.

3. Laykyun Sekkya, Myanmar (129 meters / 423 feet)

Standing atop Po Kaung Hills in central Myanmar, Laykyun Sekkya depicts a standing Buddha completed in 2008. The statue took nearly 12 years to build and was funded by donations from Buddhist devotees across Myanmar.

An elevator inside takes visitors partway up, with stairs continuing to higher levels, so pack your walking shoes! The statue stands on a 13-meter throne, and at the base sits a large reclining Buddha measuring 95 meters long. Two for the price of one! There are incredible details covering the enormous statues, which is yet another way you can see the fierce devotion with which the Burmese worship Buddha.

2. Spring Temple Buddha, China (208 meters / 682 feet)

Spring Temple Buddha has been towering over Henan Province since 2008 because including the lotus throne and building beneath, the total monument height reaches 208 meters. The copper statue alone stands 128 meters tall, depicting Vairocana Buddha.

It was built partially in response to the Taliban’s destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan and the statue represents Buddhism’s continued relevance and strength. Construction took 11 years and cost around $55 million, which both seem a little low if you consider the enormity of the task. You can climb stairs inside the lotus throne and building, but the statue itself isn’t hollow, but honestly, the best view is from outside anyway.

1. Statue of Unity, India (240 meters / 787 feet)

India’s tribute to independence leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel officially became the world’s tallest statue when completed in 2018. Standing 240 meters tall, including the base structure, the bronze-clad figure towers over the Narmada River in Gujarat, nearly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty.

The statue cost approximately $430 million and required 3,000 workers over four years to complete. If your vertigo allows it, you can visit the observation deck at 153 meters to soak in the views across the surrounding valley and river. It hasn’t been without controversy, and critics questioned spending such massive amounts on a statue when poverty remains widespread in India. Regardless, it’s an engineering marvel that will likely hold the height record for a very long time.