Bali’s GWK Cultural Park is getting the recognition it deserves as a top tourist attraction in Bali this high season.
For many years the GWK Cultural Park was a a must-visit for domestic tourists, and now the cultural hub has really caught the attention of international tourists.
The GWK Cultural Park can be found in the heart of the Bukit, just a few minutes from the booming tourism resorts of Uluwatu, Ungasan and Kutuh.
The cultural park was open about its slow road to recovery following the pandemic. But now the attraction is soaring in popularity with domestic and international tourists alike.
Speaking to reporters, the GWK Cultural Park Operations Director, Stefanus Yonathan Astayasa, said that tourist visits are now averaging 7,000 people per day during the recent school holiday season.
“However, after the school holiday period, visits returned to normal at 4,000 per day,” he added.
He revealed that the GWK Cultural Park is currently seeing a 70/30 split between domestic tourists and international tourists.
Astayasa added, “With the various facilities offered, GWK Cultural Park is expected to become an increasingly attractive and popular tourist destination.”
He noted that visitors are increasingly interested in climbing the GWK statue. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue stands 121m tall and is the tallest statue in all of Indonesia. The statue took 28 years to construct and was designed in 1990 by Balinese creator Nyoman Nuarta.
Tourists can, in fact, go inside the statue and climb to the 23-storey. There is a limit of 280 people permitted inside the GWK Statue at a time for safety purposes.
Entry to the inside of the GWK statue requires an additional ticket, which includes an exclusive guided tour of the museum inside the statue.
The GWK Cultural Park & Statue Tour bundle ticket costs IDR 300,000 per person and is well worth the extra few dollars. From the top of the 23rd story, tourists can admire panoramic views of the Bukit Peninsula and the ocean, too.
It is not only the GWK Statue that tourists can enjoy during a day trip to the GWK Cultural Park. Every day, cultural performances are held between 11 am and 6 pm, and entry is included in the ticket fee.
The performances include Tari Sekar Jepun, Tari Kebyar Duduk, Tari Topeng Kenyum Manis, Tari Jauk Keras, Tari Oleg Tamulilingan, Tari Topeng Monyer, Jauk Manis Dance, Tari Barong, and Tari Joged Bumbung.
One of the most impressive and exciting performances is the specular Tari Kecak Garuda Wisnu Kencana Kecak; this dance brings together the mesmerizing kecak dance with the ogoh-ogoh associated with the Nyepi Day festivities.
This unmissable performance narrates Garuda’s journey in search of Tirta Amertha to save his mother from the slavery of the Dragon nation.
The dance is exclusively on show at the GWK Cultural Park.
Tourists planning a visit to the GWK Cultural Park in the coming weeks would be wise to plan their visit around the Merdeka Fest 2024 activities which will be held between 13-17 August 2024.
As part of the celebrations for the 79th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, the GWK Cultural Park will be hosting a series of events to promote culture and heritage. The festival will be divided into two parts, titled ‘Freedom for Music’ and ‘Freedom for Running.’
Astayasa explained to reporters that the themes combine music concerts, running, culinary arts, culture, and more.
GWK’s Merdeka Fest 2024 is “ready to enliven the celebration of independence with various interesting events.”
The festival is set to welcome thousands of people through the gates to celebrate Indonesia’s independence, and the event is, of course, open to international tourists to join in the fun too.
GWK Cultural Park is experienced in running huge events, with previous festivals, such as newer parties, seeing over 30,000 people attend the event site.
The Merdeka Festival is predicted to see 15,000 people attend a day. Astayasa explained, “This time, with an invitation of 15,000 people, we have the same scenario and anticipate that there will be no traffic jams.”
He concluded, “We hope that many people come to GWK and enjoy the treat that we conceptualized as a people’s party. We want to show that Indonesia’s independence is celebrated with great fanfare.”
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Bali Keith
Wednesday 31st of July 2024
Yeah, no traffic jams…. Jalan Uluwatu is a parking lot all the time now. Tourists don’t climb the big Garuda, there’s an elevator and tickets are half price after 7PM.