GWK Statue Tour: The Story Behind Bali’s Iconic GWK Statue

The GWK Statue Tour is a guided tour that lets you see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue up close and go inside it. The statue is visible from far away, but its story only comes through from within. The elevator inside takes you to ascend to its upper levels, namely the 9th and 23rd floors. These two floors give you the opportunity to understand the statue’s  story and symbols, not just its size. Wanna know more about the GWK Statue Tour? Thriugh this article, let us guide you through all about this tour.

At a glance

Where: GWK Cultural Park

Duration: approximately 45 minutes

Floor: 9th and 23rd floors

Tickets: Regular + Statue Tour

Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM

What is the GWK Statue Tour?

The GWK Statue Tour is a tour package that allows you to learn the story behind the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue. It  offers a completely different experience than just seeing the majestic statue from the ground. With this tour, you can go inside the statue and ascend to the 9th and 23rd floors accompanied by a guide.

It is important to know that the general statue tour can include touring the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, the Vishnu statue at Plaza Wisnu and the Garuda statue at Plaza Garuda from the ground level. However, this specific GWK Statue Tour or Top of the Statue Tour refers to the experience of going up inside the GWK statue.

The Story Behind the Statue

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue depicts the Vishnu riding on the back of his mythical eagle companion, Garuda. This depiction was inspired by one of the myths in Hinduism that tells the story of Garuda searching for the Tirta Amerta (the elixir of life) which he needed to free his enslaved mother, Dewi Winata. In this story, Garuda agreed to let Vishnu ride him in exchange for the elixir of life.

This statue was first conceived in 1989 and its construction began in 1997. The project had experienced a long journey and delays due to the monetary crisis, until it was finally successfully inaugurated in 2018. When you take the GWK Statue Tour, try to carry through these three questions: 

• Who is the figure depicted in this statue?
• What is the deep meaning behind the statue?
  What is the statue made of?

What to Notice Inside the Statue

Use an H3 per floor. Stress what you see, what it means and a tip for observing.

1. 9th Floor: Museum and Story

The 9th floor inside the GWK statue. Source: GWK

This floor showcases the long history and philosophy behind the construction of the GWK statue. You’ll see dioramas of the construction process, installation art, and various memorabilia.

• Interactive exhibition: Includes a touch screen wall (interactive wall), a frame of Garuda, and a fun fact screen that tells interesting facts about the statue’s history and creation.
• Archives and materials: Showcasing concept design sketches, blueprints, and original pieces of material from the early stages of construction.
• Observation tip: Take your time reading one information panel per theme quietly, instead of rushing through them.

1. 23rd Floor: The View From Above

The 23rd floor inside the GWK statue. Source: GWK

After exploring the 9th floor, you can continue your tour to the 23rd floor. This is where you can witness panoramic views of Bali from a unique perspective that is from inside the GWK statue.

• Wide view: Look out over Jimbaran, Kuta, Seminyak, Melasti, Nusa Dua, and the Bali Mandara Toll Road.
• Educational structure and mythology: There are exhibits on Hindu deities, the figure of Garuda across Asian traditions, as well as explanations of the steel frame and copper cladding of the statue.
• Observation tips: Look down at the GWK park landscape, then try to identify the stages and performance areas you walked past.

1. Details Easy to Miss

This section captures the spiritual side and behind-the-scenes perseverance that is rarely highlighted by the general public.

• Ritual documentation: Contains photo archives and notes regarding various traditional ceremonies and offerings carried out throughout the construction process.
• Harmony of culture and engineering: Shows how elements of religious tradition and civil engineering calculations work hand in hand to form the foundation of the statue.

Why Choose the GWK Statue Tour?

The GWK Statue Tour offers a deeper look into the monument’s history and unique views from the 9th and 23rd floors. Combined with live cultural performances, it makes your visit to GWK Cultural Park complete and memorable.

If you’re planning to take this tour, a late afternoon visit is highly recommended due to the cooler air. This time is also the perfect time to continue your agenda with the Kecak GWK performance at 6 PM WITA. Additionally, the official site now lists 15 daily performances, not only the earlier 11:00-15:00 range. Therefore, your entertainment options are now much more flexible.

Latest GWK Statue Tour Tickets

See the statue from the inside and understand its story! Book your Regular + Statue Tour ticket on the GWK Website (ticket.gwkbali.com). Use code GWK20 at ticket.gwkbali.com to get 20% off your Regular Entrance, making it just Rp120,000 per ticket (a savings of Rp30,000). This online offer is valid for visits on 19-25 Oct, 23-29 Nov, and 14-20 Dec 2026. Please note that the Semeton promo of Rp125,000 for 4 people on weekends is exclusive to Bali ID holders. For more promotional offers and ticket packages, visit the official GWK website today.