Top 10 Most Majestic Statues Around the World Today

The Laykyun Setkyar Statue stands on top of Po Kaung Hill, near Monywa, Myanmar. This awe-inspiring statue is one of the tallest in the world, measuring 130 meters in height. Beneath this grand figure, you'll find the largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. The Laykyun Setkyar Statue was completed in 2008, while the reclining Buddha was finished in 1991. This standing Buddha is a major tourist attraction in Myanmar, offering visitors a glimpse into the country's rich history, culture, and religion, particularly the local community of Monywa.

The Laykyun Setkyar Statue features a golden color that stands out against the blue sky, drawing visitors from around the world. The statue was created by Bodhi Tahtaung Sayadaw, a revered monk in Myanmar. Standing at 116 meters, it is the second tallest Buddha statue globally. The statue is located on Po Khaung Taung, directly behind the reclining Buddha. The statue is hollow inside, allowing visitors to climb a staircase within its structure for panoramic views of the surrounding area. It took 11 years to complete, and since its inauguration in 2008, it has become one of Myanmar's top tourist destinations.

If you're planning a trip to China, make sure to visit Zhengzhou, one of the country's largest cities, known for its breathtaking landmarks. Among them is the statue dedicated to the legendary emperors Yan and Huang, two figures celebrated for their contributions to Chinese civilization. Carved from a mountain by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, the statues stand at an impressive 106 meters tall, with eyes measuring 3 meters and a nose that spans 6 meters. The statue project cost around $22.5 million and took 20 years to complete, starting in 1987.

Zhengzhou is renowned for remarkable sites like the Yan Huang Statue. These statues honor Emperor Yan, believed to be the ancestor of the Chinese people and the first emperor, who lived around 4,000 years ago. He is said to have descended from the divine figure of Shennong, living in the first tribal community in China. Huang, known as the Golden Emperor, is a legendary hero and one of the Five Emperors in Chinese history.

The Murugan Statue is considered the tallest Hindu statue in the world, standing at 42 meters high. It was built in front of the Batu Caves in Selangor, Malaysia, over three years by a team of 15 skilled sculptors from India. The statue is constructed from 250 tons of steel, 1,550 cubic meters of concrete, and 300 liters of gold paint, completing its construction in 2006. Visitors not only come to admire the striking golden statue of Murugan but can also explore the Batu Caves, a sacred site in Malaysia. The most notable feature of Batu Caves is the 42.7-meter-tall statue of Murugan, the tallest of its kind in the world. Inside, there are numerous caves, including the revered Cathedral Cave, the Art Gallery Cave, and the Dark Cave.

Murugan is a supreme god worshipped in Hinduism. The construction of the Murugan Statue at the entrance to Batu Caves is linked to a legend about the deity. Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva, a key figure in Hinduism. Lord Shiva also has another son, Lord Ganesha. One day, Shiva decided to choose one of his sons as his successor by throwing a stone far away, with the one who found it first being crowned. The clever and quick-thinking Murugan presented Shiva with a fake stone, but Shiva saw through the trick and punished Murugan by making him stay at the foot of a mountain. The 272 steps leading up to Batu Caves symbolize the 272 days it took for Lord Ganesha to find the real stone and ascend to the throne. As a result, Murugan redeemed himself by helping the people.

The Tian Tan Buddha is the largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha statue in the world. Standing at 34 meters tall and weighing 250 tons, it is located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, visible even from Macau. The statue is hollow, with three inner halls that house a collection of Buddhist relics. Completed in the early 1990s, it symbolizes the harmonious relationship between nature, humanity, and spirituality. The Buddha's left hand rests on its knee, symbolizing contentment, while the right hand is raised, representing the removal of suffering and obstacles from the world. Notably, a giant bell rings every seven minutes, symbolizing the liberation from the 108 worldly afflictions.

The name 'Tian Tan' is inspired by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, where Chinese emperors used to conduct rituals. The Buddha sits upon a lotus flower, with facial features resembling those of the Great Buddha of Longmen. The robes of the Tian Tan Buddha are modeled after those of the Sakyamuni Buddha from the Dunhuang Caves. Unlike most other statues that face south, the Tian Tan Buddha faces north. To reach the statue, pilgrims must ascend 268 steps, offering them an opportunity to admire the grandeur of the statue and the stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains and sea.

The Cristo Rei de Dili Statue, located in Dili, East Timor, is one of the tallest statues of Jesus Christ in the world. Standing at approximately 27 meters tall, visitors must climb over 500 steps to reach the statue. This remarkable statue was a gift from the Indonesian government to the people of East Timor in 1996. While Rio de Janeiro has the massive Christ the Redeemer statue, East Timor boasts its own version, known as Cristo Rei. Situated on the eastern side of Dili, the statue offers a breathtaking view of the capital and the surrounding coastline. The stunning coastal views combined with the grandeur of the Cristo Rei de Dili statue provide an unforgettable experience for visitors.

The statue was designed by Mochamad Syailillah, a Muslim, who studied religious texts to accurately depict the image of Christ. From the base of the statue, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Dili's skyline and its pristine coastline. Locals and tourists alike gather here in the early mornings or late afternoons for exercise or picnics. Besides the Cristo Rei statue, visitors can also explore Dili's traditional Tais market or the Santa Cruz Cemetery, the site of a tragic massacre by the Indonesian military in 1991.

Christ the Redeemer – the iconic symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil – is arguably the most famous statue of Jesus Christ in the world today. Standing at 30 meters tall, with a base of 8 meters and arms stretching 28 meters wide, the statue serves both religious and cultural purposes, embodying the hospitality of Brazil. Completed in 1931, it sits atop the Corcovado mountain, crafted from reinforced concrete and covered with small steatite stones. Designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, the construction of the statue took from 1922 to 1931.

Christ the Redeemer was recognized by UNESCO as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Perched over 700 meters above sea level, the statue has endured several lightning strikes, the most severe of which occurred in 2008, damaging the statue's fingers, eyebrows, and head. A lightning strike in 2014 broke one of the statue’s fingers. In 2010, extensive restoration work was carried out, including cleaning, replacing the steatite stone covering, repairing the internal iron structure, and waterproofing the monument. An unfortunate incident during the restoration involved a worker mistakenly spraying paint along the statue's arm, leading to a public apology. The restoration utilized over 60,000 stones sourced from the same quarry as the original monument.

Christ the King in Świebodzin, western Poland, holds the title of the tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the world. Completed in 2010, it stands 52.5 meters tall (including the base) and weighs 440 tons. This statue is a symbol of hope for Świebodzin, as it aims to transform the city into a prominent tourist destination. The crown of the statue has a diameter of 2 meters and is entirely covered in gold leaf. Without the crown, the statue is smaller than the Cristo de la Concordia in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Built on a 16.5-meter-high stone platform, the statue represents a traditional belief that Jesus was 33 years old at the time of his death. Located just 50 km from the German-Polish border, it can be seen from the A2 motorway connecting Warsaw and Berlin.

Polish media reported that the project cost $1.45 million, funded by donations from people across all walks of life, from business owners to the impoverished. The statue's construction began in 2008, spearheaded by Father Sylwester Zawadzki, who had envisioned this monumental statue for many years. Initially, the statue was intended to be smaller. The project sparked controversy in Poland, with critics accusing Father Zawadzki of megalomania, while many residents of Świebodzin supported the idea.

The Motherland Monument, crafted from titanium, stands proudly in Kyiv, Ukraine. Considered one of the most impressive statues in the world, it is a powerful symbol of the city. Completed in 1981, the statue itself reaches a height of 62 meters, with its base housing a museum. The total height of the structure, including the pedestal, is 102 meters, and it weighs over 560 tons. Visitors to Kyiv can spot the monument from afar, but few miss the chance to approach and witness its grandeur up close. The Motherland Monument (also called the Memorial to the Motherland) is an essential landmark in Kyiv and part of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, dedicated to World War II.

The monument’s sheer scale is awe-inspiring: standing at 203 feet tall, the sword itself measures 52 feet, and the shield is 43 feet in diameter. The statue depicts a mother figure advancing, holding her sword high in her right hand, while her face looks back, urging the people of the Soviet Union to rally and defend against the invaders. The monument rests on a 2-meter pedestal, which is set atop a larger 16-meter platform buried in the ground. The statue stands securely not by being attached to the base, but due to its immense weight and the friction between the statue and its base. To reach the monument, visitors must climb 200 steps, symbolizing the 200 days of battle fought to protect and liberate Stalingrad.

The Three-Faced Guanyin Statue in southern Hainan Island, China, is a breathtaking sight that will leave visitors in awe of its grandeur. Standing at 108 meters tall, the statue was completed in 2005. The unique design features three faces: one facing the land and the other two gazing out toward the South China Sea. This impressive project took six years to complete and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations on Hainan Island. The island itself, covering an area of 2 million square kilometers of sea, is blessed with a warm climate, lush coconut groves, scenic bays, pristine beaches, soft sands, and the gentle, moist sea breeze, all of which make it a perfect spot for tourists to relax and enjoy the natural beauty.

Legend has it that Guanyin, while traveling through the South Sea, transformed into the golden fish she was riding. The mystical landscape of the area has long been revered, with the region once listed as one of the Eight Best Sceneries of Ancient Times. Two notable Buddhist monks, Master Jian Chen (688-763) and Master Kong Hai (774-835), both stopped at Hainan during their journeys from the East and West, marking a significant point of cultural exchange between China and Japan. Hainan has long been regarded as a land filled with auspicious Buddhist energy, making it a key location for the spread of Buddhism. The construction of the Nanshan Guanyin statue, alongside the Nanshan Temple, has turned the Nanshan area into a vital hub for promoting Buddhist culture, contributing to the deeper cultural and tourism exchange across Southeast Asia.

The Ushiku Daibutsu, completed in 1995 in the city of Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is the largest statue of Amitabha Buddha in the world. The entire structure reaches 120 meters in height, including its 10-meter lotus pedestal. It was built over 10 years from 6,000 bronze plates. Visitors can take an elevator to the lotus platform, where they can enjoy stunning views from the observation deck. This iconic spiritual site is a must-see in Ushiku, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike. The statue, created by Higashi Honganji Temple, was placed here due to Ushiku's connection with Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism.

Inside the statue, there is a main hall and an 85-meter-high observation deck. A peaceful garden at the base of the statue enhances the tranquil atmosphere. The third-floor “World of Lotus” houses the main temple hall with around 3,400 golden Buddha statues. Every morning and evening, the sounds of chanting fill the golden hall, creating a reverent ambiance. The sprawling 10,000-square-meter garden at the base reflects the Pure Land of Buddhism, featuring a petting zoo, traditional Japanese gardens, ponds, and seasonal flowers. There are also numerous places to explore the Buddhist world, offering a tranquil retreat for visitors of all ages.