Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK)

Less than 1.5 hours from Ohana Retreat Bali, the park is massive, and is ideal for those that enjoy walking. You can pay for a ride on a golf cart, bicycle or electric scooter as well. The statue is almost 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York, the size of a 21 story building.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (Indonesian: Taman Budaya Garuda Wisnu Kencana) or GWK, is a government built and run tourist site located at Ungasan, Badung in the island of Bali, Indonesia about 10–15 minutes driving from Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and his mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who became his companion. 

Wikipedia

There are many shops and several restaurants throughout the area, as well as cultural spaces for Balinese dance, music etc. I recommend seeing a dance, and while this may sound strange, the children’s movie of the Hindu story around which the statue is a representation shouldn’t be missed! There are two benefits to seeing the short 20 movie: the animated film appears to be a local production and it preserves the Balinese approach to storytelling. There’s a comedic element to the Garuda mythology that is very enjoyable. And secondly, the air conditioning in the theater is excellent! It’s a lovely way to get a break from the tropical heat.

You can take an elevator ride 9 stories up and then walk a bunch of steps for an additional 150,000 rupiah (the online entrance fee is 110,000 rupiah). I imagine its an awesome view, as there are no tall structures on the entire island. But just viewing the statue from below is really incredible. It is said that the entire project took 27 years to complete.

The sculptor (Nyoman Nuarta) has involved hundreds of collaborators who, together with him in the island of Java, in Bandung, have developed the project. They have made 724 modules in wax, followed by moulds in fiber glass, copper and brass, finally cut in and transported by a truck to Bali for the culture park, where the elements were recomposed and welded by hand. The project was far from an easy feat—it demanded 20+ years of work and funds worth more than 100 million dollars. 

Architectural Digest

Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Ungasan, Kuta Selatan
Badung 80364, Bali-Indonesia
+62 (361) 700 808

Book tickets online here
info@gwkbali.com
Opening Hours 08.00 – 21.00 WITA
Ticket Box Open from 08.00 – 20.00 WITA