The best way to reach Yeh Pulu is on foot through the rice fields from Goa Gajah. The walk takes 45 minutes, and there is no path to speak of, so you need a guide. The reward is a set of rock carvings from the fourteenth or fifteenth century, sitting in a very attractive rice field. Few visitors come here, and that is part of its charm.
Plan your visit to Yeh Pulu
| Type | History & ruins |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 07:00-18:00 |
| Price | Rp30,000 |
| Getting there | On foot through the rice fields from Goa Gajah with a guide (45 minutes), in Banjar Batulumbang, Bedulu near Gianyar |
| Address | Banjar Batulumbang, Bedulu nr Gianyar |
| Map | Open the map |
Yeh Pulu is a complex of carvings, and it also has a holy well. The attendant priest is happy to bless visitors with the well water. It sits close to Goa Gajah but is far less well known, so you often have the place to yourself. It is much underrated and highly recommended for anyone curious about Bali's older stonework.
The setting matters as much as the stone. Green terraces surround the site, and the walk in or the short stroll from the entrance feels like a quiet village outing, not a monument visit. You come for the carvings, stay for the calm, and leave with a blessing.
Carvings in the rock, in a rice field
The main sight is the group of rock carvings. They are cut into stone and sit beside the paddies, not inside a grand compound. That gives them a human scale. You stand close, look along the wall, and let your eye follow the figures one by one.
Stone left in the open for centuries wears and darkens. Take your time and look for outlines, edges and the way the figures sit in the rock. Let your eyes adjust before you decide what you are seeing. The carvings date from the fourteenth or fifteenth century, which makes them old even by the standards of Bali's heritage sites.
The holy well and the priest's blessing
Beside the carvings is a holy well. This is a place of living worship, not only a ruin. The attendant priest will bless you with the well water if you wish, and he does so gladly.
Because the site is used for prayer, the temple dress code applies. A sarong is needed, and you can rent one at the ticket counter without extra charge. Wear it as you walk in, and keep your voice low near the well. Accept the blessing in the spirit it is offered.
Walking in from Goa Gajah
The most memorable way to arrive is on foot from Goa Gajah. The walk takes 45 minutes through the rice fields. There is no real path, so a guide is not optional. He or she will lead you along field edges and narrow banks that you would struggle to find alone.
This route turns a short stop into a proper outing. You leave a busier, better-known site and drift into farmland, with the carvings waiting at the end. It is a good fit for visitors who like to travel slowly and see how a rice-growing landscape works up close. Expect to be among the paddies, not on a paved track.
Fitting Yeh Pulu into the Bedulu area
Yeh Pulu lies in Banjar Batulumbang, Bedulu, near Gianyar. Goa Gajah is the natural partner, since the walk links them. The Purbakala Archaeological Museum is close by and adds background on the region's early history.
If you want to widen the day, The House of Masks and Puppets Setia Dharma and Museum Rudana are also nearby. They bring in Balinese craft and art, which sits well beside old stone carvings. The site is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00, so you can place it early or late in your plans.
What visitors ask
How do you get to Yeh Pulu from Goa Gajah?
You can walk through the rice fields from Goa Gajah. The walk takes 45 minutes. There is no path to speak of, so you will definitely need a guide.
How much does it cost and when is Yeh Pulu open?
Entry is Rp30,000. The site is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00.
Do I need to wear a sarong at Yeh Pulu?
Yes, the temple dress code applies. You can rent a sarong at the ticket counter without extra charge.
How old are the carvings at Yeh Pulu?
The carvings date from the fourteenth or fifteenth century. They are set in a rice field, and there is also a holy well on site where the priest gives blessings.
Near Yeh Pulu
- Goa Gajah (1.18 km)
- Purbakala Archaeological Museum (1.36 km)
- The House of Masks and Puppets Setia Dharma (1.4 km)
- Museum Rudana (2.41 km)
Guided trips to Yeh Pulu
More Maya sites and museums: things to do in Bali.