The Pura Gunung Kawi Temple is a bit like Bali’s own Valley of the Kings, where ancient royal tombs were carved into a steep cliff wall at the bottom of a river valley.
Gunung Kawi is a great spot to soak up some interesting culture and history, and you can get some good photos too. It’s one of the most famous tourist attractions near Ubud, Bali.
The ten shrines/tombs at Pura Gunung Kawi Temple were carved out of rock in the steep cliff face during the 11th century.
It’s believed each of the candi (shrines) were dedicated to different members of the ancient Balinese royal family, starting with King Udayana and his wives and sons.
There are four monuments on the left as you first enter, and then five more on the east bank across the Pakerisan River, which is considered sacred by the locals.
The tenth monument is hidden in the south part of the river valley and you can reach it on a short walking path.
Gunung Kawi sits at the bottom of a river valley, so you’ll have to walk down (and back up) nearly 300 steps. It can be a bit tough in the midday heat and humidity.
On the way down to the temples, you’ll pass some rice terraces, souvenir shops, and small cafes and restaurants overlooking the rice paddies.
At the bottom of the steps, turn left to see the first 4 shrines of Gunung Kawi, then head south to find one more hidden shrine. Lastly, cross the bridge to see 5 more waiting on the opposite side of the river.
You’ll notice the shape of the shrines has an uncanny similarity to Prambanan Temple in Java, which is not a coincidence of course since the Hindu people of Bali came from Java.
Gunung Kawi is a neat glimpse into ancient Indonesian civilization, and the river and jungle add to an overall atmosphere that’s just special. You feel like you’re stepping back in time.
