Garuda -> Symbol of Freedom from oppression
Overview
GWK cultural park is one the famous tourist attraction and destination. The park has a land area of around 60 hectares and is 863ft (263m) above sea level.
It is located at Ungasan, Badung South Bali around 11.6 kilometers from Ngurah Rai, International Airport around 15-20minutes drive by car.
About GWK Statue
GWK statue is the most iconic and tallest statue of Bali, and it depicts the Hindu God Wisnu. It is mounted at the top by mythical eagle, Garuda. The Garuda is the national emblem of Indonesia.
The construction of this statue was completed in August 2018. The idea of this statue was inspired by a story from Hindu mythology about the search of Amrita by Garuda to liberate his enslaved mother for that he agreed to be ridden by Lord Vishnu.
GWK statue is 75m (246ft) tall, 65m (213ft) wide and it was designed by Nyoman Nuarta. Total height of the monument is around 121m (397ft) which is nearly 30m (98ft) taller than the Statue of Liberty in the United States.
The entire monument is about a 21-storey building. It weighs 4000 tones, making it the heaviest statue in the country. The statue is made of copper and brass sheeting, with a stainless-steel frame and skeleton, as well as a steel and concrete core column.
How to get there and best time to visit
There are many ways to get from Ngurah Rai international airport to GWK by taxi, shuttle, car or town car.
You can book your travel through https://www.tripadvisor.com/ , Grab. The Everyday Everything App or directly rent a car/scooty for full day and cover many other nearby places at same day which include South Beaches (Suluban, Padang-Padang, Pendawa, Nusa Dua) , Ulu Watu Temple etc.
We stayed in Kuta which is around 2.8km from airport and it is at the main road and nightlife is beautiful.
You’ll get many Indian restaurants there (one of my favorites was Kailas Parbat) Shopping marts, clubs, essentials etc.
You can visit this park in the morning around 9AM and it will take 2-3hrs to cover this if you want to take good photographs and videos.
We visited this in the morning @9AM and covered this around 1 o’clock. As we have plan to cover Suluban Beach and Ulu Watu Temple in same day. Detailed trip details i’ll share in my next post.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to visit GWK cultural park is 125000/- IDR (690/- INR) per person. You’ll get unlimited refreshment drink coupon as well with this ticket in one of the restaurants inside the park (includes lemonade, chilled water, normal water). You can have other snacks as well but for that you have to pay 😎
There is shuttle service as well which will drop you to the entry point of GWK statue which costs around 40000/- IDR (221/- INR) per person.
Once you reach at the top you can see the statue from outside and visit the art gallery. To see the statue from top around 21st floor you have purchase another ticket which is around 200000/- IDR (1100/- INR) per person.
2/4-wheeler parking fees is there around 3000/- IDR . We rented a scooty for a day trip which costs us around 70000/- IDR (390/- INR).
GWK Tour
Once you reach at the parking area you have to board a shuttle which is free of cost which will drop you at the entrance of the park.
There are many ticket counters and travel guides either you can collect your own ticket with the help of machine or purchase it directly from the ticket window.
People are there who can help you with the process.
This park is very beautiful. We had visited the park without shuttle and enjoyed the beauty of this park and captured many pics and videos.
In the Park there are 3 main statues, one amphitheater, one natural little waterfall with small pond, art gallery, restaurant and couple of other statues where you can get many scenic photographs.
It is covered with greenery so while walking upside you’ll not feel hot.
Art Gallery
Mini Waterfall and pond
Entrance
The mythical bird Garuda, as the Lord Vishnu’s mount
Lotus Pond Area
Money Exchange
Near to the entrance there is an office for Money exchange, if you are having shortage of IDR currency you can easily get is exchange there.
Exchange Rates are almost same everywhere in Bali. It is recommended to carry Dollars as you can easily exchange it anywhere ($100 === 1450000/- IDR).
Essentials
- Please carry sunglasses, water bottle, snacks, umbrella as it is hot.
- Please wear comfortable shoes or footwears.
- Keep your belongings safely with you as it is little crowded.