Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Bali

This Garuda Wisnu Kencana park is probably one of the best cultural park I’ve ever visited. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is located in Badung, and it is popular for its gigantic statue of Hindu God, Vishnu (or Wisnu in Indonesian) and his cool ride, Garuda (or large mythical bird creature in English). Note in mind that this cultural park is still on going progress as they suppose to attach Vishnu with the Garuda together and it will be a super huge statue.

Pretty sure that everyone in Bali know about this park so it wouldn’t be a hustle to get here, just mention “Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park” and off you go. Yes, you have to pay the entrance fee (dunno why but my dad told me it used to be free) about IDR 100’000 ($8) per adult. Quite pricey for an attraction in Indonesia, especially when it’s on progress site. Then, you either walk your way up to the real entrance from the parking lot or take the shuttle ride.

The first stop I made was the amphitheatre just nearby the entrance of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. I’m not so sure about what performance they did, but maybe it was related to the story of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana legend. It is a live performance with live Balinese gamelan (traditional orchestra instruments) music. The good thing is that it’s included in the entrance fee so it’s free to see. It was an extraordinary performance and you can check the schedule on the site.

Next is Lotus Pond, which has nothing to do with lotus or pond. However, the Lotus Pond in Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is my favorite place. It’s because of the big, nicely cut stones and gives amazing perspective from any point of view. Everything about this place, I love it. It gives me the impression like I’m somewhere else.

If you go to the stairs and go up, you will find the head of the Garuda statue. It will be installed later on once all the parts of the statue are ready. This project has been taking them for so long, but one of the (tour) guide told me that it will be done probably in 2018-2019. Segway rental is also available in the Lotus Pond.

Just next to the Plaza Garuda is the Plaza Wisnu, it’s the Vishnu God that supposed to ride the mythical Garuda. The bits view of Bali and the ocean are visible from Plaza Wisnu. Because Plaza Wisnu is considered a holy place, you are not allowed to wear anything shorts, like short pants or short skirts. You can borrow the scarf that they will lend you before you take the stairs to Plaza Wisnu. As you can see from my picture below, I was wearing short pants and they lend me brown scarf to cover my legs. Exiting the Plaza Wisnu by stairs (the other side), you will go the like a garden with fountains and other statues.

For the first timer to visit Bali, I was definitely suggest this Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park as a must-visit. This cultural park represents one of the notorious culture of Bali (and Indonesia) and the park is also quite friendly to go with friends and family (or anyone actually). And this is also the end of my Bali Post (but not like I’m not gonna go to Bali anymore) cause now I’m back in Switzerland.