Tirta Empul Temple
Bali, Indonesia
Gunung Kawi, Bali
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Photo: Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ≈ IDR 50,000
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- Daily, roughly 8:00–18:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 15 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Entrance fee
- ≈ IDR 50,000 foreign adult; sarong included
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Steps
- About 300 down to the river — and the same back up
- Footwear
- Wear sturdy shoes: the steps are steep and wet near the water
- Location
- Tampaksiring; ≈ 18 km from Ubud, ≈ 2 km from Tirta Empul
Key facts
11th centurywhen the temple and memorial complex was created
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English Wikipedia10candi shrines carved into the rock
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English Wikipedia≈ 7 mthe height of the niches that hold the shrines
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English WikipediaAnak Wungsuthe Udayana-dynasty king the monuments are thought to honour
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English Wikipedia5 + 5shrines on the east and west banks of the river
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English Wikipedia'The king made a temple here'an inscription on one of the east-bank shrines
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English Wikipedia≈ 300steps down to the river
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2026 travel guides≈ 2 kmto Tirta Empul
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OSRM routeGunung Kawi entrance fee and hours
According to Indonesia's official tourism portal, foreigners pay IDR 50,000 and domestic visitors IDR 30,000. One guide quotes IDR 75,000, so it's worth confirming. A sarong is included; parking is extra. Pay in cash. It's open roughly 8:00–18:00.
What is Gunung Kawi?
Gunung Kawi is an 11th-century temple and memorial complex in Tampaksiring, known as the Valley of the Kings. On both banks of the Pakerisan River, niches about 7 m high have been cut into the sheer rock, each holding a candi — a shrine carved in relief like a stone tower. There are ten in all.
Despite the 'royal tombs' label, nobody was buried here; the monuments are memorials, linked to King Anak Wungsu of the Udayana dynasty and his queens. Five shrines on the east bank are, by one theory, for the king, his mother Mahendradatta and his brothers; those on the west bank for lesser queens. One bears an inscription: 'The king made a temple here.'
How many steps — and what you'll see
From the ticket booth a long stairway — about 300 steps — drops past village stalls and rice terraces clinging to the gorge. Near the bottom you pass through an arch cut into the rock and come out by the river. On the east bank is the main view: five shrines in their niches, fronted by a water channel and flowers.
Across a bridge, the west bank has the remaining shrines and a working temple courtyard. It's quiet, the river is loud and the stone is furred with moss — ancient-feeling but well kept. Then it's the same steps back up, so pace yourself.
Things to see at Gunung Kawi
- The five east-bank shrines — the classic view.
- The rock-cut archway on the way down.
- Rice terraces on the gorge slopes.
- The Pakerisan River and the bridge between the banks.
- The west bank, with more shrines and a working temple.
- The inscription on one of the east-bank shrines.
How to get to Gunung Kawi
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Ubud — about 18 km north, 15 minutes on paper, usually half an hour.
- From Sanur — about 38 km; from Kuta or Seminyak — about 48 km, 1.5–2 hours in normal traffic.
- From Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) — about 51 km.
- No public transport: taxi, Grab, Gojek, scooter or a hired driver.
- Tirta Empul is 2 km away and the Tegallalang rice terraces 7 km.
When to go and how long to stay
Allow 1–1.5 hours including the stairs. Mornings are best, before the heat: climbing back up in full sun is hard work. After rain the steps and riverside stones are slippery.
Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul are neighbours and almost always visited together. Add Tegallalang for an easy half day north of Ubud.
Is Gunung Kawi worth it?
Yes: it's one of Bali's oldest and most atmospheric sites — shrines in the cliff, a rushing river, moss and rice terraces — and it's less crowded than Tirta Empul next door.
YesGo's take: the stairway is long, which is tough with bad knees or small children. If old stones don't excite you and time is short, pick one of Tirta Empul or Gunung Kawi.
Bali temples compared
Temples on Bali rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Saraswati Temple | 45 | 30 min | free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000 | 10.8 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubud Monkey Forest | 36 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 130,000 | 12.2 km |
| Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) | 35 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 11.5 km |
| Batuan Temple | 29 | 45 min | donation or ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 18.1 km |
| Tanah Lot Temple | 26 | 1 h 30 min | IDR 75,000 | 33.2 km |
| Taman Ayun Temple | 26 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 20.2 km |
| Gunung Kawiyou are here | 25 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000 | — |
| Tirta Empul Temple | 24 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000 | 14 min walk |
| Ulun Danu Batur Temple | 24 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 35,000 | 19.0 km |
| Goa Lawah Temple | 24 | 45 min | ≈ IDR 30,000 | 22.4 km |
| Uluwatu Temple | 23 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000 | 51.6 km |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | 23 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 100,000 | 23.4 km |
| Besakih Temple | 22 | 2 h | IDR 150,000 | 16.3 km |
| Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven) | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 100,000 + shuttle | 35.2 km |
| Geger Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | free or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,000 | 45.1 km |
Half a day north of Ubud
Purification at Tirta Empul in the morning, then the Gunung Kawi shrines and the Tegallalang rice terraces by lunchtime. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.
- Tirta Empul Temple1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000
- 14 min walk from the previous stopGunung Kawiyou are here1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000
- 65 min walk from the previous stopTegallalang Rice Terraces1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 15,000–50,000
3 places · about 5 h 19 min with walks · 79 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- Go in the morning: 300 steps back up in the heat is hard.
- Bring water for the climb out.
- Wear shoes with grip — it's slippery by the water.
- Cross the bridge: the west bank is quieter.
- Pair it with Tirta Empul, 2 km away.
Questions
How much is the Gunung Kawi entrance fee?
IDR 50,000 for foreigners according to Indonesia's tourism portal, sarong included.
How many steps are there at Gunung Kawi?
About 300 down to the river — and the same back up.
What are Gunung Kawi's opening hours?
Roughly 8:00–18:00 daily.
What is Gunung Kawi?
An 11th-century complex of ten shrines cut into the cliffs of the Pakerisan River, memorials to Udayana-dynasty royalty.
How far is Gunung Kawi from Ubud?
About 18 km north — around half an hour by taxi, Grab, Gojek or scooter.
Is Gunung Kawi the same as Gunung Kawi Sebatu?
No, Sebatu is a separate water temple about 10 km away.
How long do you need at Gunung Kawi?
1–1.5 hours including the stairs.
Is Gunung Kawi worth visiting?
Yes for its age and setting; the stairway is the main drawback.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Gunung Kawi: 11th century, 10 shrines, niche height, Anak Wungsu, east and west banks, inscription
- Indonesia.travel — foreign and domestic visitor fees
- kura2bus.com, baliholidaysecrets.com (2026) — hours, number of steps (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q2605109 — coordinates; OSRM routing — distances
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