![[Bali Landmark] GWK Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park Complete Guide: The World's Tallest Statue, Traditional Dance Performances, and Photo Spots](https://images.gobaligo.id/vocus/vocus_59dd74c824c1b08c87059ea0d45e3f93.jpg)
Complete Guide to Bali’s Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Bottom line first: GWK Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is open daily from 09:00 to 21:00 (last entry at 20:00). The must-see is the Kecak fire dance at Lotus Pond at 18:00 daily, plus 15 traditional performances rotating across three venues from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Located in southern Ungasan, the park’s limestone cliffs are a popular photo spot.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, located on the Ungasan hill in southern Bali, is a magnificent cultural landmark blending art, mythology, and natural scenery. It is home to one of the world’s tallest statues and one of the best places to explore Bali’s traditional culture and mythological stories.
The Myth of Garuda Wisnu
In Hindu mythology, Garuda is a divine bird symbolizing strength and loyalty, while Wisnu (Vishnu) is the preserver god among the Hindu trinity. According to legend, Garuda fought demons to rescue his enslaved mother, ultimately obtaining the secret of the ‘water of life’ (Amrita) and offering it to Wisnu. Deeply moved, Wisnu allowed Garuda to become his mount, and together they have since protected the world, symbolizing justice and peace.
The statue at GWK Cultural Park captures Garuda carrying Wisnu in a heroic pose, embodying the Balinese people’s reverence and perseverance for their faith and culture.
The Sculptor’s Great Achievement
This 122-meter-tall statue was created by renowned Indonesian artist Nyoman Nuarta. He began designing it in 1990 and, despite economic crises and numerous obstacles, completed it in 2018. The statue is assembled from over 1,500 components, weighing more than 4,000 tons, with the giant Garuda made of copper. The outer shell used over 25,000 square meters of copper, shaped and welded with stainless steel. The GWK copper statue also functions as a lightning rod.
The entire project took nearly 30 years and cost a total of USD$100 million. It is not only the tallest statue in Indonesia and the fourth tallest in the world, but also the tallest Hindu deity statue globally, reflecting the artist’s boundless passion and perseverance for cultural heritage.
Why Visit GWK Cultural Park?
- Enjoy traditional Balinese dance and music performances (Kecak fire dance, Barong modern theater, etc.)
- Explore the interior of one of the world’s tallest statues, Garuda Wisnu
- Capture stunning sunset photos with cultural architecture
- Visit the art market to buy local handicrafts
- Dine at Jendela Bali restaurant on the hilltop, overlooking Bali’s scenery
Ticket Information
1. Regular Entrance
- Price: IDR 150,000
- Includes: Park entry, ASANA Art Museum, cultural performance, Jendela Bali basic drink (iced tea or ginger tea)
- Does not include access to the top of the statue
2. Entrance + Top of Statue Tour
- Price: IDR 350,000 (Indonesian Rupiah)
- Includes all general admission items plus a guided tour to the 9th level of the statue
- Children under 100 cm (approx. 3.3 ft) enter for free!
- Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 21:00 (last entry at 20:00)
- It’s recommended to buy tickets online to skip the on-site queue and enjoy discounted prices!
Use Klook to book tickets online—save money and avoid waiting in line. Open the QR Code file from your email, scan it at ‘Counter 5,’ and exchange it for a physical ticket. We suggest booking only once you’re on your way to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, so you won’t waste the ticket if your plans change unexpectedly.
🦅☀️🌴GWK Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park—the massive Vishnu statue and Garuda are breathtaking 😍, plus you can enjoy traditional performances, a perfect blend of culture and nature ▶Klook booking link
Transportation and Suggested Itinerary
- From Kuta or Seminyak: About 30–40 minutes by car
- From Ubud: Approximately 1.5–2 hours by car
- Recommended Transport: Grab/Gojek ride-hailing apps, private car hire
If driving yourself, the Cultural Park offers ample parking with a complimentary shuttle service.
Vehicle Type Parking Fee (IDR) Motorcycle 5,000 Car 10,000 Tour Bus 20,000
Best Time to Visit
- 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Cooler weather, fewer crowds
- 5:00 PM–7:00 PM: Enjoy sunset views and cultural performances
- 7:00 PM–9:00 PM: The park is lit up, creating a romantic atmosphere
Best Sunset Photo Spots:
- Plaza Wisnu: The park’s highest point, overlooking the Garuda Wisnu statue and sunset
- Jendela Bali Restaurant: Savor the sunset views while dining
Must-See Attractions & Activities
Garuda Wisnu Statue: The tallest Hindu deity statue in the world
Lotus Pond: A massive outdoor plaza often hosting performances and events
Kecak Fire Dance: Daily at 18:00 at Lotus Pond
Barong Show: Held on select days at the open-air theater (check schedule)
Cultural parades, traditional dances, Balinese music performances: Randomly staged at different times daily
GWK Free Performance Schedule (for reference only, subject to on-site changes)
Beyond its majestic statue, GWK Cultural Park offers a rich lineup of Balinese art and cultural performances. From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, 15 shows rotate across three different venues.
Performance Schedule:
Amphitheater (800 seats)
- 11:00 - Flower Dance, Seated Kebyar Dance, Sweet Mask Dance
- 12:00 - Fierce Jauk Dance, Dragonfly Dance, Seated Kebyar Dance
- 13:00 - Flower Dance, Gentle Jauk Dance
- 14:00 - Monyer Mask Dance, Gentle Jauk Dance
- 15:00 - Dragonfly Dance, Barong Bojuh Dance
Vishnu Square
- 16:00 - Bali Cultural Parade “Bali Rituals” (creative dances showcasing religious ceremonies)
Lotus Pond
- 17:00 - Bamboo Pole Dance (visitors invited to join in)
- 18:00 - Monkey Dance (tells the story of the divine eagle seeking holy water to save its mother; enjoy it with the sunset)
All performances are included in the ticket price with no extra charge. You can take photos with the dancers after each show.
Ticket prices for these attractions fluctuate with the peak season, so check the latest reference prices on the Bali Ticket Price List before you go.
Dining Recommendations
Jendela Bali: A hilltop restaurant serving authentic Balinese cuisine
GWK Food Court
A variety of local snacks, fresh juices, and fried treats
The Berandas
A fusion of Western and local flavors
Getting Around the Park
At Bali’s Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, the sprawling grounds cover over 60 hectares, and walking from the entrance to the main statue area can take considerable time and effort. If you’d rather not work up a sweat and want to save your energy for enjoying cultural performances and snapping photos, opting for the park’s provided transportation is a smart move.
🚗 Buggy (Golf Cart / Shuttle)
This is the most popular way to get around the park, ideal for families, seniors, and those with young children. The buggies shuttle visitors back and forth from Plaza Bhagawan (ticketing area) to the main Garuda Wisnu statue area, allowing you to soak in the park’s scenery without breaking a sweat.
- Cost: Approximately IDR 40,000/person (around USD$3)
- You can add shuttle service when purchasing tickets on-site or online
👇 Insider Deals for Bali 👇
🛴 Segway/Electric Scooter Rental Experience
Looking to explore GWK in a different way? Give Segway gliding a try! This activity is mainly concentrated in the Lotus Pond area, allowing you to tour this vast plaza and limestone landscape in a more relaxed and fun manner.
- 10-minute trial ticket: USD$4/person (around USD$4–5)
- 20-minute advanced experience: USD$7/person (around USD$7–8)
No reservation is needed for this service—just ask about rental availability on-site when you reach Lotus Pond.
GWK Cultural Park Tour Route
Want to visit GWK Cultural Park but unsure of the route? Don’t worry—here’s a complete tour route for GWK Cultural Park.
Getting to the Park After arriving at the parking lot, visitors can take a free shuttle bus to two stops: the ticket office at Plaza Bhagawan or Jendela Bali Restaurant.
Tour Route
Park Map
1. Tirta Amerta (Holy Water Fountain Pool) After purchasing your ticket, you can start the tour. The first thing that catches your eye is the pool called “Tirta Amerta,” which serves as a welcoming feature at the park entrance. According to the GWK Cultural Park Operations Director, Stephanus, this design echoes the story of Garuda and Lord Vishnu.
2. Plaza Kura-Kura (Turtle Square) The first stop is Turtle Square, a lush little garden featuring a pond, trees, and turtle statue decorations. At the center of the pond stands a statue of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and abundance, where visitors can toss coins and make wishes.
3. Plaza Wisnu (Vishnu Square) Climbing the stairs leads you to Vishnu Square, where a statue of Lord Vishnu, symbolizing the protector of the universe, offers an excellent photo spot.
Within the square, there is also an eternal spring from Parahyangan Somaka Giri. Remarkably, despite being located on high ground in a limestone area, this spring has never dried up and is said to have existed long before the GWK Cultural Park was established.
4. Plaza Garuda (Garuda Square) After admiring the eternal spring, descend the stairs to reach Garuda Square. Here, a statue of Garuda’s head—the mount of Lord Vishnu—is displayed, making it one of visitors’ favorite photo spots.
5. Garuda Sineloka (Garuda Mini Cinema) Near Garuda Square, there is a mini cinema that plays an animated story about a young Garuda striving to obtain holy water. The film is shown every hour from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
6. GWK Statue To reach the GWK statue, you can either walk or rent an electric cart. Along the way, you’ll pass Festival Park, Lotus Pond, and Titi Banda Bridge.
Upon arriving at the GWK statue, visitors with premium tickets can enter the statue and ascend to the 9th and 23rd floors to enjoy breathtaking views of Bali from above.
All visitors can take photos and videos in front of this 122-meter-tall statue, with two shooting angles available: the front and the left side.
7. Art Performances At the end of the tour, enjoy a variety of art performances at the amphitheater, lotus pond, and Vishnu Plaza.
8. Shopping & Dining Near the exit, you’ll find the Kencana souvenir shop and the ASANA Art Gallery. Visitors can also dine at the Bali Window restaurant while taking in the sunset views.
Visit Duration On average, visitors need 3 to 4 hours to fully explore all areas of the cultural park. It’s recommended to allow plenty of time to experience every corner of the GWK Cultural Park in depth!
Kencana Souvenir GWK Bali Souvenir Shop
Offering four curated selections of Balinese souvenirs:
Balinese Endek Fabric - Endek fabric is handcrafted by local artisans using natural dyes, featuring unique patterns that symbolize Bali’s rich culture.
Balinese Specialty Accessories - Bracelets, necklaces, keychains, and other accessories with distinctive designs, perfect for everyday wear.
Balinese Specialty Foods - Sweet pia legong, crispy Balinese peanuts, and various local snacks that let you savor authentic Balinese flavors.
GWK Official Merchandise - Including bags, T-shirts, hats, tumblers, and miniature models of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, making for unique travel souvenirs.
Every item is carefully selected to ensure both quality and aesthetic appeal.
Travel Tips & Outfit Suggestions
- Wear lightweight cotton or linen clothing
- Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen
- Wear comfortable shoes—the park paths vary in terrain
- Carry a water bottle, power bank, and a light jacket
- While not a temple area, modest attire is still recommended
Klook Discounts
- Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park Admission Ticket, Bali
- Bali Beach & Garuda Wisnu Kencana Square & Uluwatu Temple Sunset Tour
FAQ
Is Garuda Wisnu Kencana worth visiting?
Absolutely! Beyond the stunning statue, you can deeply experience Balinese culture and performances—great for all ages.
How much are the tickets?
Tickets start from 150,000 IDR, with prices varying based on shows and guided tours. ▶Book on Klook
Where is GWK Cultural Park located?
It’s in Jimbaran, Bali, about a 15-minute drive from the international airport.
Can you go inside the giant statue?
Yes! With a guided tour ticket, you can enter the statue to visit the 9th and 23rd floors and learn about its construction history.
Best spot to watch the sunset?
Plaza Wisnu is the best spot, or enjoy dinner with a sunset view at Jendela Bali restaurant.
More Jimbaran Dining and Entertainment Guide
Jimbaran is a coastal paradise on Bali renowned for its romantic ambiance and culinary delights, featuring stunning golden beaches and breathtaking sunset views. The seafood restaurants here are a must-try culinary experience, while luxurious resorts and tranquil fishing village vibes allow visitors to enjoy both indulgence and local life. Whether for family trips or romantic dates, Jimbaran will exceed your expectations! Want to learn more about Jimbaran? Click here
Jimbaran Accommodation Themes
- Bali Accommodation Recommendations: Stunning Ocean View Jimbaran Stays
- 【2026 Bali AYANA Complete Guide】Rock Bar Reservation Tips
- 18 Family-Friendly Resorts with Kids Clubs in Bali｜Best Choices for Family Vacations in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, and Ubud
- Bali Family Fun: Fifteen Resorts with Water Slides and Playgrounds
- Bali Group Free Travel: Jimbaran Private Villas with 3/4/5/6+ Bedrooms Recommended for Family Stays
No discussions yet — be the first to ask.