Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

This beautiful tourist destination is dedicated to the Hindu lord Vishnu and Garuda, who is believed to be his mount as per Hindu mythology. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana was constructed to form the tallest statue in Indonesia. The structure draws inspiration from a story from the Hindu mythology.

It is believed that Garuda allowed himself to become the mount of Lord Vishnu, in exchange for the promise of an elixir of life for his mother. 

The construction of the structure was done amid controversies, with a few patrons citing that the huge structure might bring imbalance to the spirituality of the island. Others saw this as a commercial opportunity on a near deserted island which gave way to its construction. 

The architect behind the construction of this 75 metre tall and 65 metre wide statue is Nyoman Nuarta. The total height of the structure, after counting the pedestal base is 121 metre, which makes it 30 metre taller than the Statue of liberty.

It is said that the weight of the structure is almost 4000 tonnes and is composed of brass and copper. The monument was inaugurated recently in September 2018 and since then, has been a centre of attraction for tourists in Indonesia. 

This 240 hectare cultural park is located at the south end of Bali. The park is divided into numerous phases, with each of them depicting a different phase of the park. Today, this cultural park has become one of the most iconic tourist attractions of the city.

The reason why it has become a tourist hot spot is that people wish to come and witness the remarkable spectacle of the Hindu mythology, which has been constructed as the largest statue in the world. Undoubtedly, you should visit this enchanting place on your trip to Bali.

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The months from April to June are regarded as the best time to visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural park. You may want to avoid the peak noon time to visit the park and avoid the harsh sun. Any time after 4 in the evening is best for a visit to the park.

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Location : Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Ungasan, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia

Timings : Monday to Sunday; 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Price (for locals and for foreigners) : 

Locals

Adults : RP 125,000 

Children (5 – 12 years) : RP 100,000

Inner statue side : RP 200,000

Foreigners : 

Adult : IDR 1,25,000

Child (5 -12 years) : IDR 100,000

Child smaller than 5 years and height less than 100 cm : Free

Inner side of statue : IDR 200,000

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History of Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

The construction activity on the Garuda Wisnu Kencana was initiated by the Garuda Kencana Foundation in the year 1992. It took a time span of two years for the foundation to locate a suitable spot for the construction of the park at such a massive scale. The statue of Lord Vishnu, represents the Hindu religion, which is also followed by many people in Bali.

The statue can be seen holding different items in his hands, including a lotus flower, mace, conch and discus. At the same time, the bird, Garuda symbolises a watchful protector and is believed to be the mightiest bird among all. The location of the statue at Ungasan, seems to watch over the island. 

The statue adds a remarkable feature to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park, which sprawls across 60 hectares of land. It is believed that the park can accommodate up to 70,000 people at a time. 

The development of the structure has been done by expert architects who have designed the complex structure with immense creativity, ensuring that all joints of the structure are fixed with precision. It took a time span of 2000 hours to lay down the tesserae structures and complete the irregular design of the Lord and the bird.

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Tips for Visiting Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

1. When visiting the park, do not miss out on the traditional performances and films which are portrayed at the park. They are a one of a kind of experience that you must not miss. 

2. Take the GWP Loop, which is a shuttle service and takes you around the park, saving you from feeling exhausted. A ticket costs RP 20,000. 

3. If you want to know about the history of the park, visit the amphitheatre, where you will find ample information about the park. 

4. Get to know the schedule of the activities that will be held in the park on the day of your visit.

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From Airport?

The park is located in Ungasan of the Badung Regency and is located at a driving distance of 10 – 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai International airport. Visitors can easily hire a cab outside the airport to get to the cultural park. At times, one may also catch a shuttle service operating between the airport and the city. 

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