Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is one of the top tourist destinations in Uluwatu after Uluwatu temple and is a must-visit marvel in Southern Bali, for sure!
This park is a magnificent example of Balinese culture, architecture, and visiting GWK Bali will introduce you to Hindu mythology, dances, and even local food. Besides, the panoramic views from the top of the statue are simply unmatched.
Summary For First-Time Visitors Of GWK Bali
GWK Cultural Park is a 60-hectare manmade park and a great place to watch Balinese cultural performances.
- Ticket prices start from 150,000 IDR (15 AUD), kids under 100 cm have free entry.
- On foot, it takes about 2 hours to explore the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue and park.
- Most of the park space is open. UV index in Bali is extreme; wear hats, sunscreen, and stay hydrated. Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and heat.
- Make sure to check on their Instagram if any areas are closed due to private events or festivals.
- Remember that it is forbidden to fly drones at the GWK Park.
Where Is The GWK Cultural Park?
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is located at Bukit Peninsula in the Southern Bali. The area is between Jimbaran and Ungasan and is very close to Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Uluwatu.
Where Is It? Uluwatu St, Ungasan, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
How To Get To Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park & Around
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue and Cultural Park are just a 20-minute ride from Kuta and the international airport.
It is easier to visit GWK Bali if you’re staying in Uluwatu, Jimbaran or Nusa Dua, as making a trip here from Canggu and back may take the whole day due to heavy traffic.
To get around the park, you can simply walk or use shuttle services. It is an extra charge of 40,000 IDR or 4 AUD per person, one way from the park entrance to the statue. But it doesn’t take you to all the smaller plazas and performances, so overall may not be worth it unless you have seniors in your group.
Is There An Entrance Fee to GWK?
Yes, you need to buy a ticket to enter the GWK Cultural Park, and you can do so online or at the park.
The regular ticket price is 150,000 IDR (15 AUD), and it is a multi-entry ticket. It comes with a welcome drink at Jendela Bali restaurant, access to a short movie, and all daily shows, except BarAong Show.
The entrance ticket doesn’t include guided tours or transport around the park, as well as tickets to a special 6 PM show at the amphitheatre (all other daily traditional performances are included).
If you want, you can buy the tickets to the Barond show separately (125,000 IDR or 12.5 AUD), but it is more cost-effective to buy a combo ticket as it will only be 200,000 IDR (20 AUD instead of 27 AUD).
Ticket prices with guided tours included are 400,000 IDR (40 AUD), but they are a bit cheaper if you’re buying online through their official site.
If you’re driving here, prepare small change to pay for parking (under 1 AUD).
Story Behind Garuda Wishnu Kecana Cultural Park, Bali
The Legend Inspired The Statue
In Hindu mythology, Garuda and Lord Vishnu meet in a story about the Ksirarnawa Ocean and its magic nectar of life that granted immortality.
Everyone, gods and demons, wanted to drink from it, so they decided to stir it and funnel some nectar through a sacred Mountain and a Serpent King.
As you can guess, both parties wanted to take control of the resulting Amrita (the elixir of life). The war began, and Lord Visnu asked Garuda to help him. Garuda agreed to be “the transport” in exchange for a little bit of the nectar that could free his enslaved mother.
The Construction
In 1989, contemporary sculpture artist Nyoman Nuarta from Tabanan, already known to the world for his statues and fantastic sculptures, proposed to build the tallest statue of a Hindu God.
The project sounded exciting and was approved by the governor and the president, and was started between 1992 and 1997, with the main buildings finished by 1999.
But the idea quickly became the centre of local controversy and was put on hold for almost 15 years.
Balinese culture and Hinduism value balance between human, nature, and gods most of all, and according to local religious authorities, such a large statue and its commercial (tourist) value wasn’t good for the spiritual balance.
In 2013, the project was taken over by another development company and started moving along. Initially, the plan was to finish the 126-meter-tall statue by 2015, but it took longer than this.
The statue has a steel carcass and central pillar, covered with hundreds ofwelded together copper and brass sheets, each blessed by Balinese priests.
Visnu head and shoulder accessories are decorated with golden mosaic, hence the name Kencana, meaning gold in Indonesian.
The cost of building just the statue was more than 15 million USD.
About The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue
The most prominent statue in Bali is the GWK statue, inaugurated in 2018 by Jokowi (former president of Indonesia) after almost 25 years of construction.
The Hindu God Vishnu is riding on top of his mythical bird companion, Garuda, towering above the open park space.
Lord Vishnu is one of the main protectors of the Universe and all God’s creations in Hindu mythology.
Garuda is not a simple bird. It can change its shape and size and has incredible strength. Together, they are standing as protectors of the island and as a symbol of Balinese heritage deeply rooted in Hinduism.
The statue is located at the end of the park, so you will be able to see all the art installations and walk around before you reach it.
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is 75 meters tall; however, it is mounted on top of a building, which brings the total height to 121 meters. Garuda wings’ span is 64 meters.
What To Do At GWK Cultural Park
Enjoy Breathtaking Views
Stunning views start long before you reach the top of the statue, to be honest.
Walking down perfectly arranged paths lined with tall limestone cliffs feels unique and adds to the natural beauty of the site.
Take an elevator ride (extra charge) and walk up the stairs to the viewing platforms beneath Garuda and Wisnu for the best views.
Every hour, from 10 AM to 8 PM, there are guided tours to the viewpoints on the 9th and 23rd floors. Most visitors come around sunset time, so if you want to avoid crowds, come early in the morning or during the day (but it will be hot!)
On the 9th floor, you will find a few cultural displays recounting the construction chronicles.
Some people argue that the views from the 23rd floor are not that impressive to pay for, as you only get to see the island through small circular windows, no 180 or 360-degree panorama there.
Attend Cultural Performances
An array of daily intriguing cultural performances is included in your GWK Bali tickets, and you can enjoy traditional music performances, theatrical shows mixing dance and show (Kecak Garuda Wisnu Show), Barong dances, cultural parades, and more.
The Kecak Fire dance show at GWK is not the same as the one at the Uluwatu Temple.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana’s performance is a mix to appeal to wider tourist crowds, and it has elements of both traditional dance without music and the Ogoh-Ogoh parade.
It is a great opportunity to witness handmade Ogoh Ogoh mosters yourself, as one can only see them in Bali once a year on the Nyepi Eve (March), but at GWK you can see them every day.
These traditional Balinese performances run every day from 10 AM to 6 PM, and you can get a downloadable schedule on the GWK official site. Most shows are in the afternoon, although there are at least 2 or 3 you can see in the morning.
BarAong Show is the ultimate performance at GWK cultural park, dedicated to one of the most ancient guardian spirits – Barong, and retelling legendary folklore tales.
The shows are happening at different locations: street theatre, amphitheatre, plazas, at the statue, or at the tented spaces (Tlantat Mandalaloka). Get the map of the park to navigate easily.
A few shows run at the same time at different places, so you can come again!
Lotus Pond & Festival Park
Lotus Pond and Festival Park are the top two locations for a great photo, and also, a few daily shows happen here.
Lotus Pond is a huge open space surrounded by massive quarried limestone blocks arranged like a corridor for the beautiful photos.
The area is so massive that it housed some of the biggest rock concerts in Bali, including Iron Maiden in 2011, and even G20 events.
Plaza Garuda & Plaza Wisnu
Located right next to each other, these two squares are well known for the immense sculptures of 18-meter tall Garuda head and a 20-meter-tall Wisnu torso, respectively.
Towering right from the ground, the statues are surrounded by greenery, and a few Balinese dance performances take place in front of the statues.
Both have intricate details that are incredibly beautiful when the sun sets and hits the copper and brass sheeting with its warm light. From Plaza Wisnu, you can see the GWK statue, too, and the photos will be great!
At night, there are some atmospheric neon lights at the bottom of the statues that look epic.
Nearby, you will find Parahyangan Somaka Giri fountain, known for its healing waters.
Shopping @ Street Theatre
There are several souvenir shops at the park with lots of textiles, clothing, local handmade crafts, and a lively atmosphere.
Besides, there is a proper money changer, and even a small Indomaret if you want to buy water or snacks without sitting down at the restaurant.
Check quality and prices first, as usual, touristy spots may sell overpriced items.
Kids Activities
Lots of fun outdoor activities for kids and adults, as well.
There are rental electric cars, bikes, and two-wheel scooters to zoom around (rented by slots of 15 minutes), trampolines, a whole bouncing castle, and more!
Garuda Sineloka space (to watch mini movies) has a few photo zones kids would love, as well as short animation movies about the Hindu god Wisnu and Garuda’s adventures.
You can also have a few professional pictures taken at GWK’s very own photo studio. They provide traditional attire, and local couples always have a photoshoot like this before weddings.
Where To Eat Near GWK Cultural Park
GWK Food Court
At the commercial area in the park near Sineloka, there are quite a few venues to eat and drink, so you won’t even need to leave the park to find food.
Murakita street food stall selling Korean snacks and lunches, sandwiches from Alas Dapur, simple rice and meat dishes at Astha Bali, and more.
To drink something, there is Point coffee shop and Starbucks with its usual choice of iced and hot drinks, and pastries.
Craving sweets? The Capitano Gelato cart is there for you for an ice cream break.
Jendela Bali Restaurant
The biggest restaurant at GWK cultural park is Jendela, and it is definitely worth visiting, especially for the views! They also make delicious food, all inspired by the Indonesian archipelago and honouring authentic flavours.
Try classic Balinese fried rice (nasi goreng), crispy duck, or rib soup (sop iga) to explore local cuisine, or stick to something simple like a chicken burger.
The menu doens’t offer a lot of vegetarian options, though.
You need to make a reservation to get a table with the best views of the impressive statue of Garuda and Visnu, and sunset. You can also buy a ticket to GWK with a set menu included for 250,000 IDR (25 AUD).
Beranda
Beranda offers all-you-can-eat buffet-style dining and is perfect if you’re travelling in a group, so you can have a more relaxed experience and not worry about everyone’s order.
The food is better at other cafes and restaurants in the area, though.
Ganesha ek Sanskriti GWK
An amazing Indian restaurant at the main commercial square of the park. From butter chicken to bread, the food is really authentic.
The place itself is beautiful and very relaxed. Perfect to hide from the heat.
Where To Stay Near GWK
As GWK is located in Jimbaran, you are just minutes away from a number of high-end resorts as well as cheap rentals.
- Pink Private Balangan – a bright pink adults- only hotel with a shared pool and super affordable prices.
- Movenpick Resort & Spa is right by Jumbaran beach, and they are amazing for families thanks to their dining and massive pools.
- Little Bingin – a soon-to-be-open upscale resortin Bingin with all kinds of facilities, from pools and restaurants to a top-notch gym.
FAQs
Is Garuda Wisnu Kencana Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park and statues should be on your Bali itinerary. This cultural site is well known for its beautiful statues of Garuda, Visnu and the main GWK statue, seen from everywhere on the island.
You can eat, chill, walk, and take pictures at GWK.
If you’re staying in Uluwatu, you can explore Uluwatu Temple and GWK cultural park in one day to get a deeper understanding of the local culture.
What Is The Largest Statue In The World In Bali?
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, located in the GWK cultural park in Bali, is Indonesia’s tallest statue and the 4th highest statue in the world, even higher than the Statue of Liberty, measuring 121 meters (397 ft), similar to a 21-storey building. The
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is also one of the widest in the world (64 meters at the widest point) and the world’s heaviest statue (4,000 tons).
How Long To Spend At Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park?
Exploring the areas, statues, attending a performance, watching a movie, getting a guided tour to the top floors of the GWK statue, and having lunch you can spend at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park half a day easily.
If you simply want to walk and snap a few photos, without any extra activities, 1-2 hours will be enough.
Is There A Dress Code For GWK Bali?
No, however, visiting GWK Park involves a lot of walking under the scorching sun, so make sure to wear a hat and comfortable shoes.
Although it isn’t a temple and you don’t have to cover shoulders and knees, it is still a very important cultural park, so please no revealing bikinis or shirtless looks.
Final Thoughts On GWK Park Bali
Without a doubt, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue is one of the most recognisable sites in Bali.
All types of travellers will enjoy a visit to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park: a history buff, an influencer hunting for the best shots, and an artsy soul looking forward to a traditional dance show.