The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is a rather young and at the same time quite controversially discussed sight in Bali. The approximately 60-hectare park is home to several statues of imposing size, as well as a museum, a theater and impressive landscape architecture. What there is to see in the cultural park and where it is located, you will learn in the following article.
Where is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park located?
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is located in the heart of Bukit Peninsula in the south of Bali. In the middle of the peninsula rises the huge statue, which is the landmark of the cultural park and is visible from afar.
From the airport it takes only about 20 minutes to get there – if the traffic is good. Since it is especially in Bali’s south sometimes crowded on the roads, it may take a little longer. From Bali’s cultural center Ubud you should plan about an hour for the journey to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park.
Tour of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
After leaving the main entrance to the cultural park, you find yourself in a small square. From here, it looks like you can take several directions. However, a small sign points to a kind of circuit. If you follow the sign and take the path to the tour, you will arrive at the ticket control at Gate 1. After scanning the ticket, you have arrived at the actual culture park.
Plaza Kura Kura
The first stop in the park is Plaza Kura Kura. In German Kura Kura means turtle. So you are in the turtle plaza. There is a little story behind the name: And there are said to have been limestones at today’s Plaza Kura Kura, which could not be lifted. Since these stones had a similar shape to turtles, sculptors eventually carved heads and shells of the animals.
In the pool at Plaza Kura Kura, one can find several gargoyles in the shape of turtles. Thus, the name continues to be the program.
Plaza Wisnu
From the turtle square, a staircase leads to Plaza Wisnu, or Wisnu Square. Here one finds an impressive, 23 meter high figure of Lord Wisnu. This square is also the highest point in the GWK Cultural Park. From here you have a great view to the north. You can see the airport as good as always – in good weather even further beyond. You also have a good view of the big Garuda-Wisnu-Kencana statue.
Plaza Garuda
From Lord Wisnu a staircase leads down to the next square: Plaza Garuda. Here again you will find a large figure – this time in the form of the mythological creature Garuda. The figure, which represents only the head of Garuda, is about 18 meters high. From here again you have a great view of the mighty Garuda-Wisnu-Kencana statue.
Lotus Pond
From Plaza Garuda, a wide, imposing staircase leads up to the square called Lotus Pond. This is lined by several towering limestone columns and has an area of about 4,000 square meters. Because of its size, Lotus Pond is sometimes used for large events, such as concerts.
Garuda-Wisnu-Kencana Statue
Through another place called Festival Park you can walk to the most spectacular structure of GWK Park: The giant Garuda-Wisnu-Kencana statue. The official height of the entire structure, consisting of the statue and the pedestal, is 120.9 meters. There is a large hall on the first floor of the pedestal, and there is also an observation deck on the 8th floor. The statue itself is also accessible – on the 23rd floor you can see out of the structure.
Conclusion: Is a visit to the GWK Cultural Park worthwhile?
The cultural park with its landmark – the monumental statue of Wisnu riding Garuda – is well worth a visit. The dimensions of the divine image alone are truly impressive. Due to its central location on the Bukit Peninsula and the resulting easy accessibility from Bali’s tourist centers, the cultural park can be included on many travel itineraries. The walk through the elaborately designed Garuda-Wisnu-Kencana Cultural Park is very entertaining and invites you to an exciting discovery tour.
