aeeble

On a hill to the right of Mazu Temple in Matsu stands a giant stone statue of Mazu, completed in October 2009. In recent years, "Mazu is in Matsu" has been the main marketing slogan of Matsu. The construction of the giant Mazu statue took over 10 years from proposal to completion, representing the Matsu residents' devout faith and determination. The giant Mazu statue is carved from 365 blocks of granite, symbolizing "365 days of daily safety and peace." Sitting atop a hill near the coast, it appears even more majestic with a compassionate visage, breathtaking to behold. Surrounding the giant statue are twelve sculpted panels narrating the story of Mazu attaining immortality. In front of the statue is an observation deck shaped like a boat. Seen from afar, the giant Mazu statue resembles an image of Mazu riding a vessel across the sea, protecting local residents. The height of the giant Mazu statue:The main body of the giant Mazu statue is 28.8 meters high, originally corresponding to the total area of four villages and five islands in Matsu—28.8 square kilometers. However, latest measurements revealed the actual area of Matsu to be 29.6 square kilometers. Accordingly, a lightning rod was added when constructing the statue, bringing the total height to 29.6 meters.