Leshan Giant Buddha

This 71-metre tall stone statue at the confluence of the Min River and Dadu River was carved out of a cliff between 713 and 803, led by a Chinese monk named Hai Tong who hoped that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters that plagued the shipping vessels traveling down the river. Apparently, the massive construction resulted in so much stone being deposited into the river below that the currents were indeed altered, making the water safe for passing ships.