Statues can signify many things, from celebrating famous people and historical events to demonstrating devotion to religious figures. But what is the biggest statue in the world?
There are many amazing such landmarks around the globe, from the Statue of Liberty in New York (43m high) to the statue of David by Michelangelo (5m) and Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer. But these are tiny in comparison to some of the biggest monuments.
So how tall are the biggest statues in the world, and where could you find them? Here are the top 10 biggest statues in the world by height.
10. Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park – Ashibetsu, Japan (88m)
Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park is a statue dedicated to the goddess Guanyin, an important figure in Buddhism linked to mercy and compassion. In traditional Chinese Buddhism, Kannon is represented as masculine. However, in Japanese culture, the deity is considered to be female and is depicted as such in artworks and sculptures.
Construction on the statue was completed in 1989 and was the tallest statue in the world until 1991. It is one of many such statues built across Japan by wealthy benefactors during the financial boom of the 1980s. Many of these statues have since fallen into a state of disrepair, and some have been demolished.
9. Sendai Dai Kannon – Sendai, Japan (92m)
The next place on our list belongs to another very similar statue also depicting Dai Kannon. This version was built in the city of Sendai in 1991 and briefly became the world's tallest statue.
In this depiction, Dai Kannon holds something known as the Cintamani Stone – a wish-fulfilling jewel found in both Buddhism and Hinduism.
8. Great Buddha of Thailand – Ang Thong, Thailand (92m)
Not only is the Great Buddha of Thailand (or 'Phra Phuttha Mahanawamintra Sakayamunee Sri Visejchaicharn' to give its official name) an impressively tall structure, but it is also incredibly wide at 63m. In total, it took 18 years to construct the statue and building work was completed in 2008.
While it may look like it is a fairly ostentatious statue, it is made of concrete and painted gold. It was paid for by donations from local Buddhists, who raised the £2.2 million required to build the Great Buddha.
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7. Mother of All Asia – Pagkilatan, Philippines (98.15m)
The 'Mother of All Asia' statue is the world's tallest depiction of the Virgin Mary, symbolising peace and unity. It is located at a pilgrimage site called Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center in Batangas City, in the Philippines, and was completed in 2021.
The statue itself is quite simple when you compare it to some others on our list, but is no less impressive. Housed inside are chapels, theatres, shops, food halls and residential spaces, as well as a shrine to Pope John Paul II.
6. Guishan Guanyin – Hunan, China (99m)
To access the Guishan Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes statue, you will need to climb up the many flights of stairs at Miyin Temple, a Chan Buddhist temple in Weishan, China.
What you are rewarded with is a gilded bronze monument depicting a manifestation of the Bodhisattva Guanyin known as Shiyimian Qianshou Guanyin. The statue was completed in 2009 at a cost of approximately £28 million.
5. Ushiku Daibutsu – Ushiku, Japan (100m)
Upon completion in 1993, the statue of Buddha known as Ushiku Daibutsu was the tallest in the world – a record it held for 15 years. Inside the statue is an elevator which can take visitors up 85m to an observation deck where there are some impressive views available. It is also thought to be the heaviest statue ever built, weighing over 4,000 tonnes.
This bronze construction commemorates the birth of Shinran, an important Japanese monk who founded a branch of Buddhism known as 'Shin' – the most widely practised branch of Buddhism in Japan.
4. Vishwas Swaroopam – Nathdwara, India (106m)
Vishwas Swaroopam, otherwise known as the Statue of Belief, depicts the Hindu God Shiva sitting in quiet meditation and looking out across the Indian countryside near Nathdwara, Rajasthan, India. It is the tallest statue of Shiva anywhere in the world.
This copper-coated concrete statue was completed in 2020 and opened to the public in 2022. Inside the structure is an exhibition hall, as well as an elevator which transports tourists up to various viewing areas.
3. Laykyun Sekkya – Khatakan Taung, Myanmar (116m)
One of the most visually interesting monuments on our list, the Lakykyun Sekkya Buddha statues show Gautama Buddha in two alternate states, depicting the Buddhist scene of 'Parinirvana' – the death of someone who has achieved nirvana during their lifetime.
The statue sits on a large platform in the village of Khatakan Taung, Myanmar. The monument briefly held the record for the world's tallest statue upon its completion in 2008, until it was overtaken by the second entry on our list.
2. Spring Temple Buddha – Henan, China (128m)
The world's tallest statue of Buddha can be found at the Zhaocun township of Lushan County in China. It depicts the Cosmic Buddha (or Vairocana Buddha) standing on a lotus throne. It is known as the 'Spring Temple Buddha' as it stands near a hot spring, which is famed for its healing abilities.
Construction was completed in 2008, and it stood as the tallest statue in the world for ten years.
1. The Statue of Unity – Gujarat, India (182m)
At 182m high, the world's tallest statue is the Statue of Unity in the town of Kevadia, India. It is twice the height of Big Ben and over three times the height of the Statue of Liberty.
The statue depicts Indian independence leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister after Indian independence from Britain in 1947.
Located near the Narmada dam and part of a massive complex, local farmers were asked to donate tools to help obtain some of the iron required to build this impressive monument.
| Position | Statue Name | Statue Height (Metres) | Location |
| 1 | Statue of Unity | 182 | India |
| 2 | Spring Temple Buddha | 128 | China |
| 3 | Laykyun Sekkya | 115.8 | Myanmar |
| 4 | Vishwas Swaroopam | 106 | India |
| 5 | Ushiku Daibutsu | 100 | Japan |
| 6 | Guishan Guanyin | 99 | China |
| 7 | Mother of All Asia | 98.15 | Philippines |
| 8 | Great Buddha of Thailand | 92 | Thailand |
| 9 | Sendai Daikannon | 92 | Japan |
| 10 | Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako Park | 88 | Japan |
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