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The Tian Tan Buddha located at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, Honk Kong, is the largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha statue in the world. It weighs 250 tonnes and is 34 meters. It is one of the five large Buddha statues in China and is a major tourist attraction and an important center for Buddhism. The statue is called Tian Tan because of its base which is a model of the Earthly Mount Tian Tan in Beijing, also called as the Temple or Altar of Heaven. On a clear day, it is called as the Giant Buddha and can be seen from as far as Macau due to its sheer size.

The statue was completed in 1993. Visitors have to climb 268 steps, although there is a road made to accommodate vehicles in case of handicapped persons in order to reach the Giant Buddha. The Giant Buddha sits on a throne shaped like atop a three-platform altar,a lotus flower. Around the statue are 8 smaller statues of gods. Beneath the Buddha statue are three floors, with one hall on each: The Hall of Universe, The Hall of Benevolent Merit, and The Hall of Remembrance. A relic of Sakyamuni is contained inside, along with some of his cremated remains. Initially designed to ring every 7 minutes, 108 times a day, meant to signify the release of 108 kinds of human vexes,another attraction is a huge bell inscribed with the images of the Buddha.

The Giant Buddha symbolizes harmony between man and nature, people and religion. This is evident on the serene and dignified expression on the statue’s face. This is also highly symbolic of Buddha’s teachings like all other Buddha statues. The raised left hand, resting on the lap, shows a gesture of giving dhana and the right hand shows removal of affliction and. However, unlike other statues of the Buddha, which face south, this one faces north. Like the Daibutsu in Kamakura, Japan,the statue is also an image of Buddha Amitabha.