Taman Ujung Water Palace is one of the most beautiful places in Bali. The water palace is situated in the open and gorgeous land in the south east of Bali. It is surrounded by pretty rice fields and Mount Agung rises up in the background majestically. The palace was built in the early 20th century by architects from 3 different countries which is why it has turned out to be so unique. It is a mixture of Dutch, Chinese and Balinese architecture with various buildings, pools and pavilions inside the compound. Taman Ujung is one of the few places in Bali where you will not find a huge crowd. It is still relatively quiet compared to its sister palace – Tirta Gangga.
History of Taman Ujung
Taman Ujung has a very unique, fascinating and dark history that you would not expect. The palace was built around a dark pool of water named Kalom Dirah. Unlike most pools which are considered sacred bodies of water, this pool in south east Bali was used to drown people convicted of dark magic and witchcraft in ancient times. Under the rule of the Karangasem King, the victims were drowned at this pool named after the most famous witch of the Karangasem empire called Calon Arang.
Where is Taman Ujung Water Palace?
The water palace is in the south east of Bali on the coast. It is near the village of Sidemen to the west and the village of Amed to the right. It takes about 2 hours to get here from Canggu and Kuta. It takes around 1 hour to get here from Sidemen. The area is actually very beautiful and the beach just below the palace is really gorgeous. In the past few years some really nice resorts and boutique hotels have come up near here that allow you to escape the crowds of west Bali and enjoy the peaceful Bali atmosphere.
Tour Options in South East Bali
Taman Ujung Palace, Candidasa & Village Tour
This tour will first take you to explore the Taman Ujung Water Palace. Then you will visit Kusamba Beach to see the sea salt farmers and join a local farmer to see how they work. You will end the tour with roaming around the village and visiting Monkey Bar.
How to Get to Taman Ujung Water Palace
By Scooter
Scooters are the cheapest and quickest way to get around Bali. They are small so traffic is easily avoided. Scooter rentals cost around IDR 60,000 to IDR 80,000 (approximately USD 3.50 to USD 5.50) per day in Canggu and Ubud. I’ve found that longer term rentals are usually cheaper. Checkout my guide to renting a scooter in Bali so you don’t get scammed like I did.
Local taxi
If you prefer getting a taxi then Gojek and Grab are two good apps to use. These are Ubers for Bali. You can ask for a scooter or car depending on what you prefer. Hop onto the back of the scooter and they will drop you off at the parking lot of the waterfall. You can find people driving scooter taxis to take you back from the parking lot to the towns.
Private car charter
If you prefer a more luxurious and convenient option, renting a car with a private driver is a fantastic choice. This is a great choice for people who are traveling in bigger groups. Prices for a full day rental range from IDR 800,000 to IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 55 – USD 85).
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Taman Ujung is during the morning. The compound does not have a lot of shade while walking so coming here early in the day is recommended. The best season to visit would be the dry season so you can spend as much time as you want here without being scared that it is going to rain.
Entry Fee and Timings
The palace is open everyday from 7am to 7pm. The entry fee for adults is IDR 75,000 and for children it is IIDR 50,000. To park your car or scooter you will need to pay IDR 5000 at the parking lot.
Experience at Taman Ujung Water Palace
When you enter the compound and start to walk to the main structures in the middle you will immediately notice lots of old buildings and carved gates around the compound. The trees, bushes and shrubs add to the natural charm of the palace. There are huge gardens here where you can relax, spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch. But the most important part of the Taman Ujung water palace are the pools and the floating palace.
Koi Pools
The first thing you will notice are the pools inside the compound. The most infamous pool where the black magicians were drowned is at the southern end of the compound. It has a small gazebo called ‘Bale Bengong’ hidden behind some green bushes that you can relax in. The other two pools are at the northern end of the compound. The north pool is also where the floating palace of the king is constructed. The pools are really beautiful and have a lot of koi fish and water lilies. It is a great place for photography.
Floating Palace
The floating palace is in the middle of the pool at the north of the compound. It has beautiful bridges that connect the palace to the edge of the pool. This used to be the resting place of the king. The palace has influences from both Dutch and Balinese architects. The palace has Dutch influences like color glass windows and Balinese rock carvings around the palace. The inside of the palace is a museum which has pictures of the royal families, beautiful paintings and lots of carvings. Take time to walk around and admire the skills of the artists here.
Pura Manikan
This temple is inside the compound and has a holy water pool around it. You will find a lot of devotees and priests using the small holy water pool here.
Palace Viewpoint
If you walk up the flight of stairs to the top of the hills you will come to a gazebo with no roof. From here you can see all around the compound and realize how big it really is. You will find lots of people taking pictures here with the background in the back. It is a bit of a workout but the view is really worth it.
Hilltop Viewpoint
Before leaving take your scooter up to the top of the hill and look at the view from the top. You can see the beach to the south, the rice fields all around and a great view of Mount Agung. If you do have time, this is a great place to visit after Taman Ujung because it is really beautiful.
Things to Carry
- Walking Shoes: You will have to walk a lot at the compound to visit every part of it so good walking shoes are necessary.
- Snacks and Water: There are a few local warungs outside the gate for water or food. You can always go to Sidemen which is pretty close by and have lunch at one of the restaurants there. But the best part about my visit was taking a picnic lunch to the gardens and eating it near the pools.
- Sunscreen: The sun in Bali is no joke and you will get fried before you even know it. Wear lots of sunscreen on the scooter ride and the trek to the waterfall.
- Camera: This place has a lot of really beautiful nooks and corners with ornate carvings and paintings. The viewpoints from the top are also beautiful and look over rice fields and the beach in the distance. It will be wonderful to take a drone and camera to capture some insane footage here.
Food and Drink near Taman Ujung
There are very few warungs near the palace so you will have to go to one of the towns nearby – either Amlapura or to the bigger town of Sidemen that has a lot of restaurants to get food and drinks. It is better to bring your own picnic and enjoy lunch at the gardens rather than hunt for food after you get to Taman Ujung water palace. You can also go to the viewpoint at the top of the hill and enjoy your lunch here. Taman Ujung has some great views where you will love spending your afternoon eating lunch and relaxing.
Tips to Visit Taman Ujung
- There is a lot of walking at this palace so children might tire out quickly.
- There are just a few local warungs so carry your own picnic to really enjoy the place.
- Make sure to be respectful of the culture and not create a scene at this sacred place.
- Going with a scooter is a quicker and better option for the small roads in the southeast of Bali.
- Be sure to only buy tickets for Taman Ujung by the proper dealer and not get scammed on the street.
- You are not required to take a guide with you to the temple. You can take a guide if you wish and they will be able to tell you a lot about the history of the temple.
- Make sure to go here early in the day to enjoy without any crowds.
- You might run into some pre-wedding shoot parties if you go early in the day.
Places to Stay in South East Bali
Wapa Di Ume Resort
This resort is called the hidden gem in east Bali. It has a two tiered infinity pool where you can have a floating breakfast. They also have private pools which they will fill with flowers on your request. Their service, cuisine and rooms are exemplary. Their spa treatments are wonderful with the best trained masseuse.
Samanvaya Luxury Resort and Spa
This is an adults only resort designed for the most luxurious vacation in mind. They are in the middle of the jungle and rice fields with a beautiful view of Mount Agung. Anand Spa is rated as one of the best in Bali and dining at Asri Dining is a wonderful culinary experience. You will never be disappointed here.
Patal Kikian – Affordable
Patal Kikian has beautiful rooms that overlook Mt Agung and the beautiful fields in Sidemen. The rooms come with a gorgeous bath and beautiful furnishing. The outdoor swimming is a area of tranquility where you can relax after a day sightseeing. Romantic dinners next to the pool can be arranged on request.
Bukit Luah – Budget
A comfortable and clean property for the budget conscious travel whose main purpose is to see the attractions in Sidemen. They have a bicycle service and free private parking. It’s a great place to make your base in Sidemen.
Things To Do Near Taman Ujung Water Palace
Candidasa Beach
The beach to the south of Taman Ujung is known for its blue waters and gorgeous white sand. The beach is very secluded and you will find almost anyone there to disturb you. There are some great resorts that have opened up here in recent years so you will be able to stay the night here if you wish.
Bukit Cinta
This is one of the best viewpoints for Mount Agung. It has an incredible view where you can take some great photographs and fly your drone. The viewpoint is right next to the road so you don’t have to do a lot of walking to get to this place.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
The sister palace of Taman Ujung is well known and well frequented by tourists to Bali. This is a beautiful palace dedicated to the Goddess Ganga and worth going to visit. A lot of people miss going to Taman Ujung for Tirta Gangga so you can imagine how beautiful it must be as well.
Conclusion
Taman Ujung water palace is one of the best places in Bali to visit. It has an incredible history of violence, power and strength. The palace has undergone tremendous suffering but has come out the other side a winner. It is a gorgeous piece of architecture that was inspired by architects from three different countries. It is one of the best places to visit in Bali for it’s culture, architecture, viewpoints and seclusion.
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