Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Cultural park featuring a colossal statue (approx. 120m) set within limestone cliffs. Dance performances and projection mapping are popular.
Towering over the hills of Ungasan in southern Bali stands the colossal Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) statue. Including its pedestal, it reaches a height of approximately 121 meters, making it one of the tallest statues in the worldโtaller even than the Statue of Liberty. Designed by Balinese artist I Nyoman Nuarta, the statue depicts the Hindu god Vishnu riding the mythical bird Garuda. The vast park surrounding the statue occupies a former limestone quarry, with the resulting sheer cliffs creating a unique, almost ancient-ruin-like landscape. The park hosts various events, including traditional dance performances, Balinese cultural exhibits, and spectacular projection mapping shows, making it a cultural theme park where you can easily spend a whole day.
History: A 30-Year National Project
The GWK statue project began in the early 1990s but faced long delays due to factors like the Asian financial crisis. However, the passion of artist Nuarta and many others endured, and the project restarted in 2013. Employing sophisticated engineering, the copper and brass skin, fabricated in thousands of pieces, was assembled onto a massive steel frame. Finally completed in 2018 after nearly 30 years, the statue stands as a symbol of Indonesian culture, technological prowess, and national pride.
Culture: The Story of Vishnu and Garuda
Vishnu is revered as a benevolent deity who maintains cosmic order and protects humanity from disaster. Garuda, after an epic quest involving the elixir of immortality (Amrita), pledged to become Vishnu's mount. Having fought to free his mother from enslavement, Garuda is also seen as a symbol of loyalty and devotion. This monumental statue embodies the Hindu principle of good triumphing over evil and represents a prayer for the nation's well-being.
Highlights (Check This Out!)
You can enter the massive GWK statue (equivalent to a 23-story building) and ascend to the viewing gallery for a 360-degree panorama of southern Bali, with Mount Agung visible in the distance (additional fee). The Lotus Pond, a vast plaza enclosed by quarried limestone cliffs, serves as an impressive venue for concerts and events. Various Balinese dances are performed daily at scheduled times throughout the park; check the schedule upon arrival and try to catch a performance. The sight of the GWK statue illuminated by the setting sun is also exceptionally beautiful.
