We may only be a little over a week into 2025, but there are some Bali destinations that are already proving to be the big hits of the year.
In Bali, travel trends tend to follow a similar pattern of emergence. First, destinations are discovered by young domestic tourists; then, they start to become popular with young, social media-savvy international tourists who have been following the trails left by domestic tourists and share their discoveries online.
This is certainly the case with East Bali, specifically the region’s top attractions like Tirta Gangga Palace and Park and the Lempuyang Temple, also known as the Gates of Heaven Temple. Although these are now super famous attractions, they are, to most international tourists, just that: attractions.
East Bali, as a travel destination, still feels as though it is reserved for domestic tourists and international tourists who are interested in diving. Especially since Amed and Tulamben are home to some of the best dive schools in the province.
In 2025 international tourists in Bali should take inspiration from domestic tourists who have been visiting East Bali as a destination in its own right rather than day-tripping through to Karangasem Regency from the resorts located along the central southern coast of the island.
East Bali has been busy with domestic tourists during the first week of the year. As the mass exodus of tourists left the island on the 2nd and 3rd of January, domestic tourists stuck around and took the time to explore all that East Bali had to offer.
The Head of the Tirta Gangga Park Management, Anak Agung Made Kosalya, said that until 5th January 2025, tourist visits continued to rise, showing no sign of slowing down despite the start of the low season officially coming into effect.
Kosalya explain,d “For yesterday alone, the number of tourists who came reached 2,300 people, which were dominated by domestic tourists who came from outside Bali and outside Karangasem. This means there is an increase from the previous average of only 1,800 to 2,000 per day.”
Kosalya needed that if it had not started raining, then the number of visitors would have surely been higher again. He revealed, “Maybe because of the rain, many tourists tend back because the view of Mount Agung was not visible.”
Whether Mount Agung is visible or not, Tirta Gangga is a must-visit cultural attraction in Bali. While 2,300 is a busy day for the palace and gardens complex, this is still a small fraction of the number of visitors received by temples like Tanah Lot and Tirta Empul Temple on a daily basis.
The grounds are so vast that it never feels crowded, and there are plenty of spots to sit for a moment in quiet complementation or to simply take in the majesty of the space.
In December, Tirta Gangga Palace & Gardens also welcomed the opening of the Asta Gangga Museum.
The museum is home to a stunning collection of Balinese artifacts, cultural objects, and historical gems, including skordi cloth, the last king’s songket cloth, and ten heirloom keris that are the legacy of the King of Karangasem.
The museum is also home to an impressive statue dedicated to the 14th King of Karangasem, Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem, who was the founder and creator of the Tirta Gangga Park in 1946.
Speaking at the grand launch on the 16th of December 2024, Koslaya shared, “Visitors now have more objects to take pictures or selfies. In addition, they can also learn about the history of the establishment of Tirta Gangga Park.”
He added, “The Tirta Gangga Park tourist attraction has long been famous, but with the presence of the museum and the statue of the King of Karangasem, it will be an added value, and it is hoped that more visitors will come and have an impact on the surrounding objects.”
For tourists planning to stay overnight in East Bali, destinations like Candidasa, Padangbai and Amed are a great option. Alternatively, day trips to East Bali are a great way to get a taste of the region before booking a return trip to stay longer next time!
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