Nestled in the heart of Bali, amidst lush green gardens and tranquil ponds, the beautiful water palace Taman Ujung stands tall. Located towards the island’s eastern side, Taman Ujung offers a glimpse into the region’s interesting history, culture and beauty. With towering Mount Agung on one side and the sea on the other, Taman Ujung Water Palace is the perfect destination for peacefulness and adventure. Escape the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas and head north to walk past beautiful architecture and royal gardens. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Taman Ujung in Bali, Indonesia.
Things To Do And See At Taman Ujung
This blog will outline the best tips and information on what you can do and see when at Taman Ujung. Let’s start the journey.
1. The Taman Ujung History From A Local Guide
Most often, we simply roam around an ancient palace without knowing its history. We suggest you defy the norms and take time to learn the history of Taman Ujung from a local guide. The final king of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, constructed Ujung Water Palace in 1909 as an extension of the Dirah Pool. The monarch had previously constructed the pool in 1901 for exorcisms.
The architects who created Taman Ujung were the Chinese Loto Ang and the Dutch van Den Hentz, along with the help of Bengalese architects Undagi. The building project was finished in 1921. A marble stele bearing text in two languages—Balinese and Malay—and two alphabets—Latin and Balinese script, was used to commemorate the 1937 opening of Taman Ujung Karangasem. The 1975 earthquake and the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung nearly destroyed the palace. After years of neglect, the location received repairs between 1998 and 2001, and is now a well-liked tourist destination.
Duration: 1 hour
Significance: Historical, cultural
Must Read: Things to do in Bali
2. The Ujung Water Palace And It’s Features
The Ujung Water Palace is on Bali’s southeast coast, 5 kilometres southeast of Amlapura. The Pura Lingga Yoni, also known as the Lingga Yoni temple, is a middle monument between Taman Ujung and the sea. The centrepiece of this water palace is a 2 m long stone in the shape of a phallus that was discovered emerging 10 metres out to sea in 2012 while building a break wall. Once it was transported to the shore, a new shrine was dedicated around the stone.
The name of the Taman Ujung Temple comes from the phrase “Garden at the End” or “Garden at the Edge”. The palace has three sizable pools and 12 hectares (30 acres) of land. The main structure, Gili Bale (“island pavilion”), is situated in the pool’s centre and is connected to its edge by a bridge. Unlike other Balinese buildings, this one has walls and a distinctly Dutch colonial white façade. Concrete was seen as a revolutionary technology at the time of its construction. Now, it serves as another characteristic that makes Taman Ujung distinctly Western. Bale Kapal is yet another fascinating and original structure found here. It can be reached by stairs on the west side of the palace. It overlooks the entire gardens, the Ujung Beach, the coconut trees and Mount Lempuyang in the distance. It also remains a dominant feature of the ponds of the Taman Ujung Temple.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Significance: Cultural, Tourism
3. The Architecture Of The Palace
It might be a bad idea if you simply visit Taman Ujung and only gaze at the pools. Ascending the stairs will enthral you with Taman Ujung Karangasem’s magnificence, where an unroofed pillar building is visible. You will be in awe of the stunning view of Ujung Beach and the turquoise sea in the southeast. Then, when you look down toward the east, you will be struck by the overall attractiveness and distinctiveness of Taman Soekasada Ujung’s architecture.
Three sizable ponds connected by lengthy, graceful bridges and walkways inside the Taman Ujung complex have architecture influenced by Balinese, Chinese and European styles. The king’s resting room has a beautiful glass ornament that is a famous European design component fixed to the building’s walls. The ornamentation more closely resembles the church’s vibrant glass embellishment. Additionally, a green hill is known as Bisbis Hill near Taman Soekasada Ujung’s eastern section. Additionally, the breathtaking view of Mount Agung in the west will leave you thinking, “This is amazing!”
Duration: 2-3 hours
Significance: Architectural
Suggested Read: Museum Puri Lukisan
4. Location, Entrance Fees And Timings
Taman Ujung Sukasada is located in the Karangasem Bali regency’s Banjar Ujung, Tumbu Village. It is a good distance from Kuta Bali’s tourist attractions. If you drive, the distance is rather large, and the journey can take up to two hours. Banjar Ujung, Tumbu Village and Karangasem Bali regency can be found at Taman Ujung Karangasem.
The entrance cost to Soekasada Ujung Water Palace differs for domestic and foreign guests.
The opening times and costs for domestic (local) tourists to enter Taman Soekasada Ujung Water Palace start from RP 15,000 for adults of local origin. The price for children starts from Rp 5,000 for locals. For travellers, the admission price is Rp 50,000 for adults and Rp 25,000 for children. The parking ticket is priced at Rp 5,000.
Entrance to a domestic picture pre-wedding costs IDR 1,000,000 (for all crew members). The WNA photo prewedding admission fee is IDR 2,000,000 (for all crew members). The Taman Ujung Palace is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Duration: 1 hour
Significance: Travel
5. Things To Do At Taman Ujung
There are many fascinating attractions to explore at the amazing Taman Ujung Palace, as the complex covers an area of almost 10 hectares. You may explore the gigantic gardens, stroll by historic buildings and learn about the numerous reservoirs. The floating palace is one of the highlights and also the region’s symbol. It is located in the middle of the park. Views of Bali’s rich cultural legacy are available from this amazing architectural site, which has been extensively restored on its platform in the water. Walk across the lengthy, graceful bridges featuring exquisite arches and intricate stone carvings. You may see the former monarch’s final resting place.
Another fine thing to do at Taman Ujung is to just meander through the beautiful gardens and take in the beauty; there is a lot of land to explore. Explore the grounds around the palace, home to several examples of architecture, including elaborate gates and tastefully renovated structures. The three distinct-sized pools in the park are among other charms of Taman Ujung. These add to the overall peacefulness. There are two in the north and one in the south, where gorgeous water lilies and various koi fish may be found.
The king’s resting place is supposed to be in the northern ponds, where it almost seems to float above the water. Thus, the term “floating palace.” is given. To the south, in the pool’s centre, nestled among dense foliage, you will find a modest pavilion known as Bale Bengong. This is the ideal spot to unwind and take in the beauty of the nature-inspired surroundings.
Duration: 3- 4 hours
Significance: Travel
Further Read: Tegenungan Waterfall
Have you ever imagined visiting a palace where water dances with beautifully designed pillars? If so, you can fulfil that wish at the Taman Ujung Water Palace. This place is surreal. If you wish to explore it from within, you need to plan a day to immerse in the beauty of this palace. Plan your trip to Bali now and include this on your travel itinerary list to garner some cherished memories.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Taman Ujung
Is Taman Ujung worth visiting?
If you appreciate architects of unimaginable levels with picturesque scenes of nature, then there should be no doubt that the answer to ‘is Taman Ujung worth visiting,’ is positive. You can have a really good time at this palace while collecting Insta-worthy memories.
What are the ideal places to visit near Taman Ujung?
Some of the nearby attractions include Tirta Gangga, Gateway of Heaven and Lempuyang Temple.
How much time does it take to completely explore Taman Ujung?
Many tourists spend an hour or so visiting and exploring the Taman Ujung water palace. However, you can take a bit longer to appreciate the beauty of the temple. If you are planning for ideal photos, you can keep an hour extra.
What are the entrance fees to Taman Ujung?
The entrance fee is around 75,000 IDR per person.
Is Taman Ujung better than Tirta Gangga?
While adjacent Tirta Gangga is frequently preferred, Taman Ujung may be much more stunning and equally outstanding. It was also constructed by the same emperor and the more well-known equivalent of Tirta Gangga. If you have time to visit only one water palace, make it this one. However, both water palaces are worth seeing.
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