travel facts - tian tan buddha: tian tan buddha is the second largest buddha statue in the world at 112 feet, and made of 250 tons of bronze. One must climb 268 steps of stairs to reach the buddha, which serves as a representation of suffering and path to enlightening. It serves as much as a point of pilgrimage for monks and spiritual seekers as well as a destination for thrill seeking tourists looking to enjoy the cable car ride up there and back.