Tian Tan Buddha.

Perched 482 meters above sea level on Lantau Island’s Ngong Ping highland, the Tian Tan Buddha is a massive bronze monument visible from miles away. Completed in 1993, the 34-meter-tall statue sits atop a three-story pedestal modeled after the Altar of Heaven in Beijing. In a departure from traditional Buddhist iconography, the figure faces north toward mainland China rather than south. Visitors must climb 268 steps to reach the lotus throne, where they are met by "The Offering of the Six Devas"—smaller statues symbolizing the qualities needed for enlightenment. The interior halls house sacred relics and a dedicated mausoleum, while the outdoor platform offers sweeping views of the South China Sea and the neighboring Po Lin Monastery, emphasizing the site’s role as a major center for Hong Kong Buddhism.