Nusa Dua & GWK Cultural Park

Nusa Dua is Bali’s planned resort enclave, with calm beaches and tidy grounds, and nearby sits the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park at Ungasan. GWK is home to one of the tallest statues in Indonesia, the Hindu god Vishnu riding the eagle Garuda.

History

The GWK park opened in 1989. The Vishnu statue was controversial, as some religious authorities worried that its scale could disturb the island’s spiritual balance.

The statue was completed in mid-2018 and inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on 22 September 2018. The statue itself is about 75 metres tall, and about 121 metres including its pedestal.

Meaning and culture

Vishnu is the Hindu preserver of the world, and Garuda, the eagle, is his mount. Garuda is also a national symbol of Indonesia, which explains why the monument carries wider meaning than a single faith.

The park hosts cultural performances and events, and the open plazas and limestone cliffs make it a place for both ceremony and gathering. It has also hosted major events, including a G20 dinner in 2022.

What to see

• The Vishnu and Garuda statue
• The open plazas and limestone cliff setting
• Cultural performances held in the park
• Nusa Dua’s calm beachfront nearby

Good to know

• Check ticket prices and hours on the official site before you go
• Wear a hat and comfortable shoes, as the plazas are open and sunny
• Combine GWK with a late-afternoon visit to Uluwatu or Jimbaran
• Ask your driver for the best entrance and parking point