Standing tall as the undisputed champion of stone Buddhas around the world, the Leshan Giant Buddha in China is a sight to behold. Carved directly into a cliff face overlooking the meeting point of the Min, Qingyi, and Dadu rivers, this monumental statue measures a staggering 71 meters (233 ft) from head to toe.

Construction of this giant wonder began in 713 AD during the Tang Dynasty and wasn’t completed until 803 AD, taking nearly 90 years to complete. The mastermind behind this project was a monk named Hai Tong, who believed a Buddha statue would calm the turbulent waters at the rivers’ confluence, which were known for causing many shipwrecks.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is a seated figure and boasts other impressive features besides its height. Its fingers alone measure 27 feet (8.3 meters) long, and its shoulders stretch a distance of 92 feet (28 meters), nearly the size of a basketball court. Over the years, the Leshan Giant Buddha has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors who marvel at the engineering marvel and spiritual significance of this giant stone statue.