Been to Bali often but still don’t know which building is the tallest? Turns out it’s not just GWK! Here are 4 giants in Bali whose height will make your head spin.
GWK
Did you know, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue or GWK is seriously terrifyingly tall, reaching 121 meters! In comparison, this statue is much taller than the Statue of Liberty in America. The construction process was no joke, taking about 28 years to complete. You could say the process was “eternal” because it had to go through several presidential changes and various economic crises until it was officially erected in 2018.
The genius behind this magnificence is the maestro from Bali, Nyoman Nuarta. He chose to use first-class material, a mix of copper and brass, which makes the statue look very aesthetic when hit by sunlight. Because of its strategic location on a limestone hill in the Ungasan area, South Kuta, you can see the statue’s grandeur from a distance, even as your plane is just landing at Ngurah Rai Airport.
Bajra Sandhi
Speaking of size, the Bajra Sandhi Monument reaches a height of 45 meters. This number was not chosen randomly; it was intentionally matched with the year of Indonesian independence, which is 1945. This monument truly is an icon in the center of Denpasar because of its very unique shape, resembling a Genta or bell usually used by Hindu priests in Bali when leading ceremonies.
Now, what’s cool about this building is how they incorporated the elements of the independence date August 17, 1945 into its architecture. Just take a look:
- There are 17 entrance gates.
- There are 8 main pillars inside the monument.
- And its height is 45 meters.
So, while taking aesthetic photos there, you are indirectly standing on a symbol of the nation’s struggle. Its location in the middle of Renon Field also makes the atmosphere cool despite being in the middle of the city. If you are strong enough to climb the circular stairs to the top (3rd floor), you will be treated to a stunning view of Denpasar city from a great height for content!
Bali Beach Hotel
If you notice, almost all buildings in Bali do not have weird heights, at most only 3 or 4 floors. But Bali Beach Hotel (The Meru Sanur) is different because it reaches a height of 32 meters with a total of 10 floors. Why is that? Because this hotel was built during the era of President Soekarno around 1963, long before the regional regulation that prohibited buildings from being taller than a coconut tree (around 15 meters). So, the hotel is like getting a “special right” because it was already standing before the regulation was ratified.
Because of its striking height, Bali Beach Hotel is the most easily recognizable landmark in Sanur. Imagine, while other hotels have to “bow down” to the height of a coconut tree, this hotel actually soars high and has a truly unobstructed ocean view. Even though it reaches 32 meters, its construction is very strong. The proof is that this hotel remains solidly standing through various eras, even after a massive renovation that makes its current appearance much more luxurious and modern without losing its historical impression as the first five-star hotel in Bali.
Turyapada Tower
Speaking of height, Turyapada Tower is truly not messing around. Physically, the tower building itself has a height of around 115 meters. But, what makes it even crazier is its location on the hill peak of Pegayaman Village, Buleleng, whose height is already around 1,500 meters above sea level. So, if totaled from sea level, its peak soars up to 1,636 meters! Thanks to its tall stature, Turyapada Tower successfully beats the height of the Eiffel Tower when calculated from sea level.
The 115-meter height is also not just for display. Its function is vital because this tower acts as a digital TV and telecommunications signal transmitter so that the North Bali area no longer has what is called a blank spot or poor signal. Inside, there are also floors designed for cool facilities, ranging from a revolving restaurant to an observation area. So, besides for technological matters, this tower is indeed prepared to be a new tourist icon that makes you feel like you are standing above the clouds while enjoying the limitless view of North Bali.
