10 Must See Buddha Statues In Asia

Asia is a place that has always inspired me when it comes to culture, religion and beautiful art. And Buddhism has inspired Asia with some of the world’s most beautiful art. Out of that, the ‘Buddharupa’ or the Buddha statues is notable. If you visit any of the Buddhist temples around the world, you can find these tranquil Buddha statues. Here are ten of the world’s most famous and beautiful statues of the ‘Awakened One.’

Buddha Statues In Asia

1. The Giant Buddha of Leshan – China

Leshan Giant Buddha | (c) Photo By Encyclopedia of Vietnamese Culture

Leshan Giant Buddha statue, as the name suggest is a giant statue which carved directly into the great rock mountain in Szechuan province in western China. It is at a height of 71 meters. The statue is represented in a sitting posture and began in the year 713. However, it was not completed until the year 803. Leshan Giant Buddha Statue is considered the greatest statues of Buddha carved in the rock of humanity today.

2. Temple of the Emerald Buddha Statue – Thailand

Inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha | (c) Photo By Touropia

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha statue is located within the grounds of Grand Palace in Thailand. The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses The Emerald Buddha. The statue is famous because it was made from green jade stone. It is one of the oldest and most famous Buddha statues in the world. According to legend, it was created in India in 43 BC in the city of Pataliputra, where it remained for 300 years. In the 4th century AD it was taken away to Sri Lanka by Buddhist monks to save it from destruction by war. Eventually the statue made its way to Thailand.

3. Great Buddha of Kamakura – Japan

Great Buddha of Kamakura | (c) Photo By Jeffrey Alan Miller

This temple is renowned for the Great Buddha or Daibutsu. This monumental outdoor bronze statue is one of the most famous icons of Japan. The statue stands at 13.35 meters high and weighs approximately 93 tons making it the second largest Buddha statue in Japan after the one in the Todaiji Temple in Nara. The statue is originally built and located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were washed away by a tsunami tidal wave in the end of 15th century but the statue remains. Since then, it stands in the open air.

4. Gal Viharaya – Sri Lanka

Gal Viharaya | (c) Photo By BEYONDbones

Located in the ancient capital city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka, Gal Viharaya is one of the most breathtaking representations of Buddha. This massive rock temple was constructed by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century. The central attraction of the temple is the 4 large Buddha statues carved into the face of a granite boulder. Among these giant stone figures is the reclining statue of the Buddha that measures 14 meters (46 feet) in length and a standing figure measuring 7 meters (23 feet) high.

5. Temple of the Reclining Buddha – Thailand

The Famous Reclining Buddha | (c) Photo By Hotel Club

One of the tourist attractions in Bangkok is the famous Reclining Buddha statue. It is one of the largest temples in Bangkok and also one of the oldest, constructed nearly 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand’s capital. The temple holds the distinction of having both Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha image and the largest number of Buddha images in Thailand. The gold-plated Reclining Buddha statue is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and commemorates the passing of the Buddha into Nirvana or enlightenment. Eyes and feet of the statue is decorated in pearl, which represents the 108 noble qualities of Buddha.

6. Ushiku Daibutsu – Japan

Ushiku Daibutsu Statue | (c) Photo By TIMOG

The Ushiku Daibutsu (big Buddha) is located in the city of Ushiku in Japan. Finished in 1995, the figure is one of the world’s tallest statues, standing a total of 120 meters (394 feet) high including the 10-meter (30 foot) base and 10-meter high lotus platform. Ushiku Daibutsu stands guard over the Jodo Teien Garden and the Jyoen Memorial Park inside the Ushiku Arcadia complex. Visitors to the Buddha statue can take an elevator to a platform where an observation deck is situated.

7. Ayutthaya  Buddha Head – Thailand

Ayutthaya Buddha Head | (c) Photo By Touropia

Thailand’s city of Ayutthaya is the location of one of the world’s most unusual Buddhist statues. The Ayutthaya Buddha Head is what is left of a sandstone statue of the Buddha whose body has been lost to the ages but whose head rests appropriately in the climbing roots and vines of a tree. Around this famous figure are many other stature of the Ayutthaya period, which have survived the ravages of time.

8. The Monywa Buddha – Myanmar

The Monywa Buddha | (c) Photo By Javier D

Monywa is a city in central Myanmar that is on the mighty Chindwin river. This is where you will find the Monywa Buddha. Monywa Buddha statue is 90 meters in length, and was built in 1991. The head alone is 60 feet high. Visitors can walk inside the hollow figure from head to the feet. Inside the figure are 9,000 metal images of the Buddha and his disciples, depicting various representations of important events in Buddha’s life.

9. Tian Tan Buddha Statue – Hong Kong, China

TianTan Buddha Statue | (c) Photo By Foreigners in China

Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) is located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Completed in 1993, the statue symbolizes harmony between man, nature, people and religion. The statue sits on a lotus throne on top of a three tiered altar. The copper statue is At 34 meters (110 feet) tall. The Tian Tan Buddha is presented in a sitting posture for serenity. His right hand is raised to remove affliction. His left hand rests on his knee, representing happiness.

10. Hussain Sagar Buddha – India

Hussain Sagar Buddha | (c) Photo By Telangana Information Task Force

This is a giant Buddha statue built at the center of a man-made Hussain Sagar lake in the city of Hyderabad in India. The statue is 17 meters high and weighs over 320 tons. This is a stone statue of Buddha, which was carved from a single block of stone. It was carved by 200 sculptors for two years. Hussain Sagar Buddha statue was erected on 12 April 1992 on a red colored Lotus pedestal. All around the lake you would get benches to sit and watch this immense and beautiful piece of art.