# Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Bali

> Tirta Gangga is a former royal water garden in east Bali: koi ponds crossed on stepping stones between rows of statues, a tiered fountain and a spring-fed pool you can swim in. It was built in 1946 by the last raja of Karangasem. Entry is about IDR 50,000, and an hour is enough. It's about 2 hours from Ubud and 15 km from Amed.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-gangga

- City: [Bali](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali), Indonesia
- YesGo score: 24/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 1 h
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Ticket: ≈ IDR 50,000 for foreigners
- Hours: Daily ≈ 7:00–18:00
- Swimming: Spring-fed pool, extra fee
- Time needed: About an hour
- Nearby: Lempuyang ≈ 10 km, Taman Ujung ≈ 12 km, Amed ≈ 15 km
- Coordinates: -8.41194, 115.58694
- Facts checked: 10.11.2026

## Key facts

- **1946** — built by the last raja of Karangasem (source: Wikipedia: Tirta Gangga)
- **≈ 1 ha** — of ponds and gardens (source: Wikipedia: Tirta Gangga)
- **Ganges** — the sacred river the palace is named after (source: Wikipedia: Tirta Gangga)
- **Springs** — feed the ponds; their water is used as holy water (tirta) (source: Wikipedia: Tirta Gangga)
- **≈ 7 km** — north of Amlapura town (source: Wikipedia: Tirta Gangga)
- **≈ 15 km** — to Amed (source: OSRM route)

## Tirta Gangga entrance fee and opening hours

Entry for foreign visitors is about **IDR 50,000** (children pay less), and the garden is usually open **daily from around 7:00 to 18:00**. There's no official published price list, so treat these figures as a guide. Swimming in the spring-fed pool costs extra, and fish food is sold at the gate.

Come at opening time or after 16:00: from mid-morning, tour groups arrive and there are queues for photos on the stepping stones. The morning light is softer, and the ponds are stiller for reflections.

## What to see

Tirta Gangga's signature sight is the **stepping stones**: round slabs across a pond, threading between rows of **carved statues** of demons and deities. Big **koi** swim beneath your feet, and you can feed them.

At the centre is a **tiered fountain**, surrounded by neat lawns, flowers and trees, with rice terraces on the hillside beyond. The complex covers about a hectare and takes an hour to explore.

## The Tirta Gangga swimming pool

In the upper garden there are **spring-fed pools** where you can swim for an extra fee. The water is cool and clean — a welcome stop after a hot drive around the east.

Bring your swimwear and towel; there are changing rooms. Swimming is only allowed in the designated pools, not in the ponds with statues and fish.

> **Wet-season tip** From November to March the stepping stones can be slippery after rain — wear shoes with grip and take it slowly, especially with children.

## History of the water palace

**Tirta Gangga** is a former royal water garden near Ababi village in **east Bali**, 7 km north of Amlapura and below Mount Agung. It was built in **1946** by the last raja of Karangasem, **I Gusti Bagus Jelantik**, who also created Taman Ujung water palace, as a retreat for the royal family.

The name means 'water of the Ganges': Balinese Hindus hold the sacred river's water to be holy, and the **springs** feeding the ponds are revered too. Their water is collected as **tirta**, holy water for ceremonies, and there's a Patirthan temple on site.

## How to get to Tirta Gangga

Tirta Gangga is in the east of the island, about **63 km from Ubud** and **68 km from Sanur** by road; with traffic that's **around 2 hours** by car. There's practically no public transport.

It's usually part of an east Bali day: **Lempuyang Temple** (≈ 10 km), **Taman Ujung** (≈ 12 km) and **Amed** (≈ 15 km). A car with driver or a tour is easiest.

## How to get to Tirta Gangga Water Palace

1. **East Bali tour** — transport and guide included.
2. **Car with driver** from Ubud or Sanur — about 2 hours.
3. **From Amed** — 15 km, about 20 minutes.
4. On the way: Taman Ujung (≈ 12 km) and Lempuyang Temple (≈ 10 km).

## Is Tirta Gangga worth it?

Yes: it's one of Bali's most photogenic gardens and fits neatly into an east Bali day with Lempuyang and Taman Ujung.

YesGo's take: the garden is small — not worth a 2-hour drive from Ubud on its own. The stepping stones get busy by midday; visit as part of an east-coast loop and come early.

## Bali temples and palaces compared

Temples, palaces and historic sites on Bali rated by YesGo.

- [Saraswati Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/pura-taman-saraswati) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000
- [Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ubud-palace) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
- [Blanco Renaissance Museum](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/blanco-museum) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/goa-gajah) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/garuda-wisnu-kencana) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 125,000–150,000
- [Batuan Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/batuan-temple) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · donation or ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000
- [Tanah Lot Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tanah-lot) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · IDR 75,000
- [Taman Ayun Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ayun) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000
- [Gunung Kawi](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/gunung-kawi) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Tirta Gangga Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-gangga) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Tirta Empul Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-empul) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000
- [Ulun Danu Batur Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ulun-danu-batur) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 35,000
- [Goa Lawah Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/goa-lawah) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ IDR 30,000
- [Bajra Sandhi Monument](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/bajra-sandhi) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 30,000
- [Penglipuran Village](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/penglipuran) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Uluwatu Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/uluwatu-temple) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000
- [Ulun Danu Beratan Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ulun-danu-bratan) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · IDR 100,000
- [Taman Ujung Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ujung) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Besakih Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/besakih) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · IDR 150,000
- [Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/lempuyang) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 100,000 + shuttle
- [Tulamben](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tulamben) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Small fee

## East Bali in a day

Lempuyang Temple in the morning, then Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung water palaces. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.

1. [Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/lempuyang) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 100,000 + shuttle
2. [Tirta Gangga Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-gangga) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
3. [Taman Ujung Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ujung) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000

## Tips

- Arrive at opening time to beat the crowds.
- Bring swimwear for the spring-fed pool.
- Fish food is sold at the entrance.
- Combine with Lempuyang and Taman Ujung.
- Nearby: [Taman Ujung Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ujung).

## Questions

### Where is Tirta Gangga?

In east Bali, Karangasem regency, 7 km north of Amlapura.

### How much is the Tirta Gangga entrance fee?

About IDR 50,000 for foreigners; prices can change.

### What are Tirta Gangga's opening hours?

Usually from around 7:00 to 18:00 daily.

### Can you swim at Tirta Gangga?

Yes, in the spring-fed pools for an extra fee — not in the statue ponds.

### How do I get to Tirta Gangga from Ubud?

By car with driver or on a tour — about 2 hours.

### Who built Tirta Gangga?

The last raja of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, in 1946.

### How long do you need at Tirta Gangga?

About an hour; 1.5–2 hours with a swim.

### What's near Tirta Gangga?

Lempuyang Temple, Taman Ujung Water Palace and Amed.

## How we checked

History, size and religious significance come from Wikipedia (Tirta Gangga). The ticket price, hours and pool fee come from travel guides — we found no official figures, so they're marked unconfirmed. In line with YesGo policy we leave out the damage in the garden's history. Distances are OSRM routes; travel times with traffic are our estimate.

## Sources

- Wikipedia: Tirta Gangga — history, the raja of Karangasem, size, springs and holy water, location
- East Bali travel guides — stepping stones, statues, koi, pool, ticket price and hours (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q7809285 — coordinates; OSRM routing — distances to Ubud, Sanur, Amed, Lempuyang and Taman Ujung

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