Gunung Kawi is a row of tall shrines carved straight into a rock cliff, deep in a green river valley. Nobody stacked these stones. Carvers cut the shapes out of the cliff face itself, and each one sits in its own deep niche. The site is in Tampaksiring and counts as one of the great historic sights of the Ubud area. If you want to see old Balinese stonework in its natural setting, this is the place.
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Plan your visit to Gunung Kawi
| Type | History & ruins |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 07:00-17:00 |
| Price | adult Rp30,000, child Rp 15,000 including sarong and sash rental |
| Getting there | In Tampaksiring; most visitors arrive with a driver |
| Address | Tampaksiring |
| Map | Open the map |
You do not drive up to the shrines. You walk down into the valley, past rice terraces and the sound of running water, until the cliff comes into view. Entry covers a sarong and sash, so you can dress for the temple at the gate. The site is open daily and works well as part of a temple day with Tirta Empul and Goa Gajah.
Shrines cut from the cliff
What survives here is rare in Bali. The shrines look like temple fronts, but they are relief carvings, shaped from the living rock. Each sits inside a recessed frame, so the face of the cliff reads like a row of tall doorways. Time and moisture have softened the edges, which gives the stone a worn, quiet look.
Read them as memorials. They are usually understood as honouring members of an ancient royal family, not as places to pray in the usual way. Stand back from the first group and look at the proportions. Then step closer and notice how the carvers kept every line clean on such a hard surface.
A royal family and a river valley
The people behind Gunung Kawi were rulers of early Bali. They chose a spot where a river cuts deep between steep walls, and that choice was deliberate. In Balinese Hindu belief, flowing water is holy. Putting royal memorials beside a river tied the family to something lasting.
Around the main shrines you can also see small cells and chambers cut into the stone. These point to a place used for quiet and reflection as well as for remembrance. The valley still feels set apart from the roads above. That calm is a large part of the pleasure of coming.
Down the steps, along the water
The route is simple. You enter at the top, put on your sarong and sash, and follow the stone steps down toward the river. The path passes rice fields and small stretches of carved rock before the main cliff opens up ahead. Cross the water and you reach the shrines.
Take your time at the bottom. The shrines stand on both sides of the river, so you can wander between them and see the cliff from different angles. The way back is uphill, so go at an easy pace. A small temple area with offerings and incense gives the walk a living, working feel.
Start early, then keep going
The gate opens at 07:00 and closes at 17:00, every day. Arriving early is the sensible plan, and it fits a full day around Ubud. The valley is calmer in the first hours, and the steps are easier before the day fills up. Adults pay Rp30,000 and children Rp 15,000, with sarong and sash rental included in both.
From here, Tirta Empul is close by, so a driver can add it to the same trip. It is a Hindu temple known for its holy spring pools. Goa Gajah is another natural stop, and it also includes a sarong in the ticket. If you have more days, a trip to Jatiluwih for the rice terraces follows the same slow, green theme.
What visitors ask
What are the opening hours of Gunung Kawi?
Gunung Kawi is open daily from 07:00 to 17:00. It is in Tampaksiring.
How much does it cost to enter Gunung Kawi?
Adults pay Rp30,000 and children pay Rp 15,000. The price includes sarong and sash rental.
Do I need to bring my own sarong to Gunung Kawi?
No. Sarong and sash rental is included in the entry price, so you can dress for the temple at the entrance. Goa Gajah also includes a sarong in its ticket.
What can I visit near Gunung Kawi?
Tirta Empul is close, and a driver can add it to the same trip. Many visitors also combine Gunung Kawi with Goa Gajah for a full temple day.
Near Gunung Kawi
- Tirta Empul (1.08 km)
Guided trips to Gunung Kawi
More Maya sites and museums: things to do in Bali.