The Great Buddha statue stands 15 meters tall and required 437 tons of bronze and 130 kilograms of gold to create in 752 AD, nearly bankrupting the entire nation during its construction.

Inside the Great Buddha Hall, visitors can crawl through a hole in a wooden pillar that matches the size of Buddha's nostril. Successfully squeezing through is believed to bring enlightenment and good fortune.

A red wooden statue called Binzuru sits outside the hall, and locals believe rubbing it will heal ailments in corresponding parts of your own body—explaining why it's been worn smooth by countless hands over centuries.

The Great Buddha Hall is the world's largest wooden building, yet it's actually 30% smaller than the original structure that burned down in 1180. The current hall still towers at 57 meters wide and 50 meters tall.