Taman Ujung: Don’t miss Bali’s most beautiful water palace

Taman Ujung Water Palace, also known as Ujung Park or Sukasada Park, is one of the most beautiful historical landmarks in Bali. The former royal palace stands as a testament to the island’s rich history, combining Balinese, Chinese, and Dutch architectural styles.

Along with Gunung Kawi Temple, Taman Ujung is one of my favorite places to visit in Bali. I love to go for a stroll early in the morning, shoot photos, and bring some food from one of the warungs outside for a picnic.

So let’s take a look at everything you should know before visiting Taman Ujung Water Palace – How to get there, the best time to visit and, of course, all the best photo spots.

How to get to Taman Ujung Water Palace

Taman Ujung Water Palace is located by the ocean in a village called Seraya in East Bali, also known as the Karangesem Regency, just 30 minutes from Pura Lempuyang.

I highly recommend spending a few days in the northeast if your Bali itinerary allows it. But I’m guessing most of you will be doing day trips from Canggu or Ubud, so here are your best transportation options.

Best of East Bali tour

If you don’t want to do any planning yourself, I highly recommend this popular Best of East Bali tour, which covers the three highlights of East Bali.

Your day starts at Taman Ujung Water Palace where you’ll have about an hour to explore, before heading to another beautiful water palace called Tirta Gangga. The tour ends with Pura Lempuyang where you can get that beautiful shot at the Gate of Heaven.

🌟 Check price and availability >> East Bali Highlights: Lempuyang & water palaces

With a private driver

Getting around Bali with a driver couldn’t be easier. Literally, everyone in Bali has a driver they can recommend, usually a close family member. And you’ll more than likely be approached on the street every day by drivers looking for customers.

I often book this driver in advance, so I don’t have to bargain the price. You won’t find a more affordable driver for a full-day tour customizable tour. You have the driver for 10 hours and you can go wherever you want. Just be sure to choose the 4:00 am pick-up option if you’re staying far away.

Rent a motorbike

You can, of course, also drive to Taman Ujung by yourself on a motorbike. Usually, you can rent one straight from your hotel or homestay for around 75k IDR per day. Just make sure you are properly insured.

From Ubud, the drive should take around two hours and from Canggu or Seminyak it will probably take closer to three hours. Expect more traffic on your way back in the middle of the day, sometimes the traffic is barely moving.

I would only recommend you drive by yourself if you’re completely comfortable on a motorbike/scooter. Especially if you plan on driving when it’s still dark out. Parts of the roads in East Bali are very steep and without street lights.

Read more about renting a scooter in Bali in my article about common scams in Bali and things not to do in Bali.

Taman Ujung visitor’s info

Below you’ll find all the information you need to know for the best possible visit to Taman Ujung.

Entrance fees

Adult: IDR 75,000

Child and Kitas: IDR 50,000

Car Parking: IDR 5,000

Drone fee: IDR 500,000 (!)

Remember that Bali is cash only for the most part, outside the tourist areas. The last time I visited there were no ATMs close to Taman Ujung, so be sure to bring enough cash. The drone fee is kind of steep, which I guess is a good thing.

Opening hours

Taman Ujung Water Palace is open daily from 07:00 am to 07:00 pm.

Best time to visit Taman Ujung

The best time of the year to visit Taman Ujung Water Palace is during the dry season, which typically occurs between April and October. During this period, the weather is generally sunny with lower chances of rainfall, providing ideal conditions for exploring the outdoor areas of the palace and enjoying the scenic surroundings.

My personal favorite time to visit Bali is at the end of the rainy season, from February to early April when the weather is mostly clear but fewer people around. All the photos in this article were shot in March.

I recommend getting there as early as possible in the day, to beat the crowds and the midday heat. We were there when they opened, and had the place almost all to ourselves for a good hour.

History of Taman Ujung Water Palace

Taman Ujung was built in the early 20th century by the late King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik. Construction started in 1909 and was only completed twelve years later in 1921.

The palace served as a retreat for the royal family and a venue for hosting important guests and events.

Architecture

The architectural style of Taman Ujung Water Palace reflects a harmonious blend of Balinese, Chinese, and European influences. With assistance from Balinese architects, Chinese architect Loto Ang and Dutch architect Van Den Hentz, designed and oversaw the building of the Palace.

Taman Ujung is renowned for its intricate stone carvings, elegant pavilions, and expansive pools, all set within a picturesque landscape of lush gardens and serene water features.

The historical significance of Taman Ujung Water Palace is also tied to the resilience of the Karangasem kingdom. The palace has endured natural disasters, including the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 and an earthquake in 1975, which caused significant damage to the original structures.

Despite these challenges, restoration efforts in the early 2000s have preserved the palace’s cultural heritage and architectural grandeur, making it one of the most beautiful attractions on the island and a must on any Bali Bucket List.

What to expect at Taman Ujung

The grounds of Taman Ujung, centered around three lakes, are nothing short of breathtaking. From the moment you walk along the entryway, covered by lush pink Bouganvillea, you’ll be in awe.

The primary and most expansive lake, with Bale Gili as its focal point, imparts a feeling of spaciousness and openness throughout the entire park. It is connected to the pathways by ornate stone bridges with arches.

If you look out the south-facing windows, you’ll see Bale Bundar, an elevated pagoda set on terraced walls at the periphery of the main lake. It was originally constructed as a meditation area for the King.

The second lake is home to Bale Bengong, a sizable open-air pavilion historically utilized for hosting and entertaining guests of King Karangasem.

The third and smallest lake, known as Kolam Dirah or the Dirah pool, is said to have been built during the rule of the previous king of Karangasem, dating back to 1901. 

On the western side of Taman Ujung, you’ll see a steep staircase with around 100 steps that leads up to Bale Kapal, the previous main entrance to the palace. Even though it today stands in disrepair, the pillars, arches and incredible views make this my favorite part of Taman Ujung.

Best photography spots

One of my favorite aspects of Taman Ujung Water Palace is its myriad of picturesque locations, ideal for a photo shoot. I recommend wearing something flowy in pinks or purples to contrast against all the green and grey.

• The stone bridge and pools: The symmetrical layout of the pools, with the stone bridge leading towards the palace, makes for a great lead-in line in photos. Use the second to last arch to frame the palace while you walk towards it. If you’re there on a calm day, make sure to also capture the reflection in the water.
• The entrance: The stone bridge covered by lush pink Bougainvillea is the perfect frame and backdrop for photos.
• Bale Kapal: The views from up there are amazing! If you look southeast, you can see the ocean all the way to Lombok. If you look east, you can see the whole Taman Ujung grounds. Use the arches to frame your photos, and get some with the whole pavilion in view.

Taman Ujung or Tirta Gangga?

Tirta Gangga is another water palace located just 20 minutes inland from Taman Ujung. The name “Tirta Gangga” translates to “water from the Ganges,” reflecting the spiritual connection of the site to the holy river in India.

Built in 1948, the palace features a network of ornate pools, fountains, and lush gardens adorned with statues and stone carvings, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere.

The biggest difference between Taman Ujung and Tirta Gangga is the size. Tirta Gangga only covers and area of about 1.2 hectares while Taman Ujung is almost 10 times bigger. So there are more areas to explore and you are more likely to find a spot you can have all to yourself.

Although Taman Ujung has now started to gain popularity, it is still visited less than Tirta Gangga which has long been a popular attraction included in most East Bali tours. But Tirta Gangga has more of the iconic Bali photo ops, like the water fountain you see above and the koi ponds.

Both water palaces are incredibly beautiful, but if I had to choose just one, I would visit Taman Ujung.

Other nearby Attractions

Pura Lempuyang: A revered Hindu temple complex known for its breathtaking beauty and spiritual significance. Lempuyang Temple comprises a series of ornate and picturesque gateways, known as Candi Bentar, set against the backdrop of Mount Lempuyang. Most of you have probably seen the popular split gate, “Gates of Heaven”, one of the most iconic photo spots in Bali.

Bukit Cinta: One of the best sunrise viewpoints in Bali. From Bukit Cinta, you get the perfect view of Mount Agung, surrounded by rice fields and palm trees.

Virgin Beach: Just 20 minutes away from Taman Ujung you’ll also find a pristine and secluded coastal gem known as Virgin Beach. With its soft light-colored sand, clear turquoise waters, and lush surrounding landscape, Virgin Beach is the best place to lounge in the sun and go swimming in East Bali. It is the only non-black beach that far north.

Tuckad Cepung Waterfall: This is one of my favorite waterfalls in Bali. It is set inside a cave, and at certain times of day, the sun shines into the cave creating the most beautiful light. As mentioned above, both Tukad Cepung and Taman Ujung are included in this East Bali highlights tour.

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