Garuda Wisnu Kencana Bali
Visiting Bali, known as the island of Gods, has always been an exciting experience. Panoramic views of the landscape and cultural ambiance entangled in harmony, creating an entertaining yet mythical experience. Exploring Bali will never cease to amaze anyone, as many spots have its own uniqueness. And when visiting Bali, don’t miss out on the chance to visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park or GWK for short. GWK is located in the southern part of Bali in Ungasan, Badung area, it’s 20 minutes from Kuta and can be easily reached from Ngurah Rai Airport or hotels in Nusa Dua. To reach GWK, you can always rent a car in Bali or take a tour from anywhere in Bali. GWK is a cultural park consisting of 60 hectares area with several giant statues including the giant Garuda Wisnu Kencana, plazas, shops, and many more.
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Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is the most incredible landmark in GWK cultural park. The statue displays Wisnu, the Lord of Protector riding his loyal companion Garuda, an eagle-like creature. They are both adorned in crowns made of gold or “Kencana”, thus called Garuda Wisnu Kencana. The statue of Garuda represents loyalty and devotion, and Garuda also becomes the national symbol of Indonesia. The GWK statue stands in all his mighty, scraping the sky for 120 meters, beating the height of The Statue of Liberty in the USA.
Exploring GWK Cultural Park indeed requires a lot of time for its grand arena and several spots to enjoy. When entering the area, you need to park in the parking lot before being picked up by a special bus to the entrance area. The tickets for domestic or international tourists are the same, IDR 100000 for kids and elders, and IDR 125000 for adults. The tickets cover the entrance fee, a lovely shawl from GWK as merchandise, welcome drink at Jendela Bali Restaurant, and performances in amphitheater.
Upon entering the area, you can take a tour by walking or using an electric car by paying another IDR 30000. You will be given a map and instruction from the employees. Just follow the map to reach the GWK. Along the way, there are many shops from the locals, to international brands to satisfy your shopping needs. On the way to the main area of GWK, you will also be spoiled with spots to take photos such as Kura-Kura Plaza or Wisnu Plaza which offers a serene atmosphere. Don’t forget to snap some pictures along the way with a gorgeous view from the hills of limestone where GWK Cultural Park is located. Kura-Kura Plaza is a pond with many turtle statues and a goddess where you can throw coins and make a wish. Wisnu Plaza is an area where giant Wisnu statue overlooking the breathtaking view of the hilltop. From Wisnu Plaza you can already see the grand statue of GWK on the far side.
You can also go up inside the GWK statue to the 9th floor, but the room is limited to only 30 people for IDR 100000. The GWK statue is designed by famous Balinese artist Nyoman Nuarta. It is made of copper and brass and weighs for 1300 tons and the long-waited statue takes more than 20 years to finish. On the 9th floor you will see pictures of the design of GWK, and animation video. After going around the area, don’t forget to sip at the refreshing beverages available in the area. You can always choose Jendela Bali, a restaurant with a panoramic view, or stalls in the area. Don’t forget to watch the performances for free at the amphitheater, where there are many performances from noon to evening and you can watch all of it for free such as Balinese Dance, Barong Keris Dance, ballet, etc. For those who bring kids, there is also a Garuda Cinema where you can watch The Adventure of Garuda Cilik show for 30 minutes.
GWK Cultural Park has also been a venue for performances. Check their website for any upcoming events. However, if there is upcoming event, some spots may be closed for visitors. But fret not, because the 60 hectares of area is more than enough to explore, or you can always choose a shuttle bus to take you to the GWK statue.
GWK Cultural Park opens from 8 AM to 9 PM WITA and is located at Jalan Raya Uluwatu, Ungasan, Kuta Selatan, Badung. And the ticket box opens from 8 AM to 8 PM WITA.
