Leshan Giant Buddha, China

Carved out of a red sandstone cliff wall, the Leshan Giant Buddha stands 71 meters and is the tallest stone Buddha in the world. Created in the 8th century, the statue looks out over the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers, and was built with the hope that it would bestow calm waters for the boats that plowed this waterway.

You can view the Leshan Giant Buddha from very close range at either the base or near the head, each offering very different perspectives.