Garuda Wisnu Kencana, usually shortened to GWK, is a cultural park in Ungasan on the Bukit peninsula, 10 to 15 minutes by road from Ngurah Rai airport. It is devoted to the god Vishnu and to Garuda, the mythical bird that became his mount. The park covers about 60 hectares and sits 263 m above sea level, so the open plazas have long views over the surrounding hills.
The statue and the grounds
The monument shows Vishnu riding Garuda. The figure was designed by Nyoman Nuarta, is 75 m tall and 65 m wide, and sits on a pedestal that brings the total to 121 m. It is made of copper and brass sheeting over a stainless steel frame, weighs 4,000 tonnes, and was finished on 31 July 2018. It was inaugurated on 22 September 2018.
The story behind it comes from the Hindu search for amrita, the elixir of life. Garuda agreed to carry Vishnu in return for the right to use the elixir to free his enslaved mother. The idea was not uncontroversial: religious authorities on the island complained that the size might disturb the spiritual balance and that its commercial character was inappropriate.
Around the statue are several named spaces. Plaza Wisnu is the highest point and holds a 23 m bust of Vishnu. Garuda Plaza, directly behind it, has an 18 m Garuda head and leads into Lotus Pond, a corridor of carved limestone pillars over more than 4,000 square metres that can hold 7,000 people. In November 2022 the park hosted the G20 leaders’ cultural dinner there.
Shows and timing
Headout publishes a daily programme: dances at the amphitheatre every hour from 11am to 3pm, a Bali cultural parade at Plaza Wisnu at 4pm, Joged Bumbung at Lotus Pond at 5pm and the Kecak at 6pm. The Kecak is the one most visitors plan around, so arriving in mid-afternoon lets you walk the grounds first and then sit for the evening performance. The Indonesia Travel guide also advises coming in the afternoon and early evening, when most performances take place and the light is gold on the statue.
Opening hours are not agreed by the sources. All give a 9am start; Orami (September 2024) ends the day at 8pm and Telkomsel (February 2025) at 9pm. Headout adds that the animated film Petualangan Garuda Cilik runs hourly from 10:30am to 7:30pm in the mini theatre.
Tickets
Antara reported in April 2024 that adult tickets cost Rp 125,000 for both Indonesians and foreigners, with children under 100 cm free. Orami in September 2024 gave Rp 100,000 for children between 100 and 130 cm. The Indonesia Travel page lists a regular ticket at Rp 150,000, Regular plus Barong at Rp 200,000 and an Ultimate package with the top-of-statue tour at Rp 400,000, so prices may have risen since 2024. We could not load the official ticket page, which is built with JavaScript, so confirm the current rate before you go.
Planning the visit
Bring water and sun protection, as Headout notes that the weather can be bright with occasional rain and recommends a hat or umbrella. Headout lists the park as wheelchair accessible and says most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours there. Because GWK is on the hills, a taxi or a booked car is the easiest way up, and the drive down to the coast is short.
For the wider area, start with the Jimbaran region guide and the things to do in Jimbaran. After the Kecak, most people head down for grilled fish on Jimbaran Bay, and a quieter version of the same meal is at Kedonganan Beach. If you want to stay nearby, see where to stay in Jimbaran.
