23 Creepy Colossal Monuments That Put Humanity In Perspective

7. Tian Tan Buddha – Hong Kong’s Island Guardian

Rising 34 meters (112 feet) above the lush landscape of Lantau Island, Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha, is one of Hong Kong’s most revered and awe-inspiring monuments. Unlike most colossal Buddhas found in temples or urban landscapes, this bronze giant sits serenely atop Ngong Ping Plateau, surrounded by misty mountains and the sparkling waters of the South China Sea, making it an unparalleled spiritual retreat for visitors from around the world. Completed in 1993 after 12 years of construction, Tian Tan Buddha was crafted entirely of bronze, weighing a staggering 250 metric tons (551,000 pounds). Unlike many Buddha statues that are cast in one solid piece, this masterpiece was created using 202 separate bronze panels, assembled to form a harmonious whole. The statue sits atop a lotus throne, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, surrounded by six smaller bronze statues representing the “Six Devas”, offering gifts to the Buddha as expressions of the six perfections in Buddhism: generosity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom.