Look For These Famous Statues in Bali [+ Meanings Explained]

Bali is an island with deep-rooted beliefs that are well showcased through the many incredible statues across the island. These statues are everywhere—in temples, public places, and even homes.

Bali is in a statue-building golden era, with many of its biggest and best sculptures unveiled in the past decade or so. The statues often depict characters or scenes from Hindu mythology with intricate carvings and hidden messages.

In this guide, we’ll share 9 of our favourite statues in Bali to look out for and the meaning behind each one. If we've missed any, let us know in the comment section.

1. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue, Bukit Peninsula

Of course, the biggest and most famous statue in Bali is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) statue. At 121m tall (including the base), it’s the tallest statue in Indonesia and one of the tallest in the world.

The giant statue depicts the Hindu god Vishnu riding Garuda, the mythical bird who became his companion. The statue officially opened in 2018, more than 28 years after the project began.

Many people don’t realise that you can go inside this humongous statue. The base holds a museum that explains the significance of the statue and details the entire construction process. You can also go up to the top in an elevator where you can look out across the island.

An entire park, known as the GWK Culture Park, has been built around the massive statue and is now one of Bali's top tourist attractions.

Although the main statue often hogs the limelight, the park is also home to several smaller statues that are impressive in their own right. Those pictured above depict both Garuda and Vishnu separately.

Also at the park is an amphitheatre with a jam-packed schedule of daily cultural performances and local dishes to try.

2. BASK Nest Underwater Statues, Gili Meno

One of the region's most famous and photographed snorkelling spots is the BASK Nest underwater statues, just off the coast of Gili Meno (technically part of Lombok which neighbours Bali).

The statues depict 48 life-sized people interlocked in a circle, symbolising life and continuity. More than just a piece of art, the design and materials were created to encourage marine life to colonise them.

Although the statues were only installed in 2017, corals are already forming around them and marine life is becoming increasingly abundant. This is one of many projects around Bali that help restore the reefs.

The statues are located in front of the luxurious BASK resort and beach club. You can swim to them for free from the shore or visit them on a Gili Islands snorkelling trip. Try to avoid touching the statues as you could disrupt the coral process.

3. Lion King, Singaraja

While it typically doesn’t fall on the tourist trail, Singaraja is Bali’s second-largest city and was even the island’s capital under Dutch rule around 100 years ago.

The city’s name translates to mean “Lion King”, a reference to King Gusti Panji Sakti who grew the city to prosperity during the 18th century.

Unfortunately, much of this wealth came from slavery, so you won’t find statues of the king himself. But you will find many statues of a winged lion, which is the symbol of Singaraja (known locally as Singa Ambara Raja).

The biggest lion statue, Patung Singa Ambara Raja, sits in Taman Bung Karno (a memorial park to the first Indonesian president). This huge giant gold and red sculpture has been strategically placed so that everyone entering the city from the south can visit it.

The statue is fairly new, built by local sculptor I Wayan Winten in 2021. Under the lion's right foot is corn which grows abundantly in this region. Beneath the statue is a stage that hosts regular dance performances.

A much older winged lion statue, Tugu Singa Ambara Raja, can be found outside the government offices in Singaraja. This statue shows the lion sitting in a 9-petal lotus flower representing each of the region's districts.

The statue has 30 feathers on each wing, 3 wing bones, and 1604 feathers on the body, representing 30th March 1604 - the date the city was born.

4. Bajra Sandhi Monument, Denpasar

The Bajra Sandhi Monument is an imposing gothic-looking structure – it looks somewhat like an evil villain’s lair from a movie – sitting at the centre of a large park in Bali’s capital city, Denpasar.

The important monument was opened in 2003 and is dedicated to the struggles of the Balinese people throughout history and the many local heroes before and after independence.

Inside is a library, exhibition halls, and a fascinating little museum where you can learn about Balinese history.

The museum is popular among Balinese and Indonesian tourists (especially school groups) but is not yet well known among international visitors. During our visit, we were the only foreign tourists inside.

The museum has a series of visual displays that recreate the most important moments in Bali’s history using miniature replicas. All of the displays have information panels next to them which are translated into English.

You can also head up to the top floor for fantastic views over Denpasar and even further afield. With very few tall buildings in Bali, the vantage point gives you amazing sweeping views over the island.

5. Yudha Mandalatama Independence Monument, Singaraja

Another important statue in Singaraja is the Yudha Mandalatama Independence Monument. Found in the old harbour area, the statue commemorates Ketut Merta, a freedom fighter who was killed by the Dutch during the battle for independence.

Merta was reportedly killed by gunfire from a Dutch warship after replacing the Dutch flag with an Indonesian one. In honour of this, the statue depicts Ketut Merta wearing just a loin cloth, pointing out to sea while planting the Indonesian flag.

6. Titi Banda Statue, Denpasar

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The Titi Banda Statue can be found in the northeast corner of Denpasar, Bali's capital city. It was purposefully built at the intersection of two busy roads to ensure maximum visibility.

The statue is linked to the Hindu epic Ramayana in which Rama teams up with a group of monkeys to save his wife, Sinta, who is held captive by Rahwana. The specific scene portrayed by the statue is when the monkeys help him build the Titi Banda bridge on their journey to rescue Sinta.

Rama is the tallest figure. He's surrounded by 18 monkeys that differ in size according to their importance.

Due to its location between two very busy roads, most people will have seen it at some point. But getting up close is difficult due to the traffic. At night, the statue is illuminated.

7. Pura Beji Amerta Gangga, Tabanan

Although it's not one of the most famous statues in Bali, Pura Beji Amerta Gangga is a hidden gem that we love. The newly restored temple in the Tabanan region has nine towering statues of Hindu Gods at its centre.

The statues depict the nine gods of Balinese Hinduism, known as the Dewata Nawa Sanga, with Shiva (the supreme god) at the centre and eight other gods representing each compass direction.

It’s believed these gods are the guardians of Bali and play a role in ensuring balance and harmony across the island.

Each a masterpiece in its own right, the magnificent statues double up as fountains, providing sacred spring water for local temple-goers.

8. Gajah Mina Statue, Pererenan

This iconic statue on Pererenan Beach depicts Lord Varuna riding the Gajah Mina. The Gajah Mina is a creature from Balinese Hindu mythology with the body of a fish and the head of an elephant.

Lord Varuna is a Hindu god associated with the skies, oceans, and water – often nicknamed the ‘Lord of the Seas’. It’s one of many statues around Bali’s coastlines depicting him. Another famous one can be found at Pantai Jerman (German Beach) just south of Kuta.

The Gadjah Mina can also be seen in all its glory at Sanur Port where the ferry terminal is decorated with a giant statue. It has been designed with the head protruding from one end of the ferry terminal and the tail from the other.

9. Ground Zero Monument, Kuta

The Ground Zero Monument in Kuta honours the victims of the Bali bombings which took place in 2002.

The suicide attack claimed the lives of 202 victims, including locals and foreigners from 22 different countries. The names of the victims are all inscribed on the monument.