Cliffs, Uluwatu

3 weeks in Bali, Indonesia- 5/28- 6/15/2024

Day 2-Uluwatu Temple -5/28/2024

Uluwatu is home to Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali’s six most sacred temples. “Luhur” means something of divine origin, and “Uluwatu” roughly means the stone at the end of the land.
The temple is believed to date back to the 10th–11th century, founded by the Javanese sage Mpu Kuturan, and later connected to the revered priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, who is said to have reached spiritual enlightenment here before achieving moksha (liberation).
The entrance to Uluwatu Temple leads into a spacious park-like area that feels calm and green before you reach the cliffs. The path winds through well-maintained grounds filled with trees, shaded walkways, and the occasional bale (those open wooden pavilions) where visitors can rest or wait. The greenery creates a peaceful transition, almost like a buffer between the outside world and the sacred temple grounds.

At the entrance, we were given sarongs to wear, which is required for everyone entering the Uluwatu Temple complex. Wrapping the sarong around our waist felt like part of the tradition, a small gesture of respect before stepping into this sacred place. Combined with the Cliffside setting and the temple’s quiet atmosphere, it made the whole experience feel even more special and rooted in Balinese culture.

We also hire a local guide specifically because the monkeys here are known to be aggressive. The guide help keep the macaques away and make the walk safer.

As we walked further in, the park slowly opens toward the cliffside viewpoints.

As we reached the viewpoint, we walked through a traditional Balinese split gate, its stone halves rising like a pair of ancient guardians. On each side stood statues carved in the classic Balinese style, fierce, protective figures watching over the entrance. Just beyond them, the land suddenly opened up to the cliffs, with the ocean far below and the horizon stretching endlessly.

Standing between this gate felt like stepping into a different world, where temple architecture, sea cliffs, and nature all came together in one dramatic scene.

The Bukit Peninsula (where Uluwatu sits) was once a coral reef. Over millions of years, tectonic uplift raised the seabed, forming the towering limestone cliffs.

After passing by the gate, we followed the walkway that winds right along the edge of the cliffs. The path rose and dipped gently, giving us new angles of the coastline with every turn. Below us, the waves crashed against massive boulders scattered along the base of the cliff, huge, rugged formations shaped by the ocean over time.

The monkeys (macaque) around Uluwatu Temple are believed by locals to be guardians of the temple, protecting it from negative energies.
While they’re mischievous today, their presence ties back to ancient Balinese stories and mythology.

The macaques at Uluwatu are notoriously clever and have developed a famous behavior: they will snatch valuables from tourists (sunglasses, phones, water bottles) and use them as bargaining tools to "ransom" the items back in exchange for food, typically peanuts or fruit. We were warned to look directly at them.

Farther along, we could see a cluster of buildings with red roofs perched on the Cliffside, adding a splash of color against the grey stone and deep blue sea.

It is so beautiful that we had to stand here a bit to a soak in all the beauty of this place.

When we looked down from the cliffs, the sea was roaring beneath us. Huge waves from the Indian Ocean crashed against the limestone walls, sending echoes up the Cliffside. Standing there, you could really feel the power of this place, and knowing the history made it feel even more meaningful.

Uluwatu’s cliffs are more than just dramatic scenery, the entire area has deep cultural, spiritual, and geological history that explains why it feels so powerful when we are stand above the roaring sea.

The dramatic waves crashing against the base of the cliffs are a signature of the Indian Ocean. The deep offshore trench sends strong swells toward Bali, and the limestone cliffs rise almost vertically from the water. This creates that incredible echoing “roar” when the waves hit.

Here you can see the pathway zizaging along the edge of the cliff.

The tall figure rising above the trees is almost certainly the GWK statue (Garuda Wisnu Kencana).
It looks like a standing deity from far away and is visible from many points along the Uluwatu cliffs. It’s one of the tallest statues in the world. We will visit GWK cultural Park right after this visit and hopefully, we will get to see the statue up close.

This whole area is home to Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali’s most sacred temples. Built around the 10th–11th century, it sits right at the edge of the land, where the Balinese believe heaven, earth, and the ocean meet. The cliffs themselves were once part of an ancient coral reef that slowly rose over millions of years, creating the towering limestone walls we were standing on.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of the island's Sad Kahyangan Jagad (six directional temples), and it is considered highly sacred. The sign said "Do Not Enter for Worshiping Only". Access to the inner sanctum (the most sacred central courtyard) of the temple. Only Balinese Hindu devotees who are dressed appropriately for prayer are allowed to pass that barrier to perform their puja (worship).

The temple is perched on a sheer 230-foot cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. The sea below is considered spiritually significant, a place of strong energies, and the temple is believed to protect Bali from forces coming from the ocean.

The view of the enormous waves crashing against the base of the limestone cliff, especially during sunset, is legendary.

We continued further by following the pathway.

This corner is incredible beautiful!

At the end of the cliff is three-tiered pagoda-style shrine (black pointy roof).

The three-tiered pagoda-style shrine came into view, layered and elegant, standing out against the sky. It felt like the perfect finishing touch to the dramatic scenery. a sacred silhouette watching over the ocean.

I am now looking behind us.

The most vibrant flowers along that path are typically Bougainvillea. They thrive in the tropical, sunny conditions and their bright pink, red, and crimson blooms contrast dramatically with the white limestone of the cliffs and the deep blue of the ocean.

The Uluwatu Temple Cliff Walk or the Serpentine Pathway is one of the most stunning parts of the whole complex, as it is specifically designed to offer visitors that breathtaking, panoramic perspective of the Indian Ocean and the huge cliffs.

It's truly a meditative walk where you feel the spiritual power of the landscape.

One last view of the cliffs before leaving the park.

We are now walking inside the park and we encountered so many monkeys along the way. Apparently there is a fascinating dynamic that highlights the intelligence of the macaques and the established relationship the local staff and guides have with them.

The guide isn't just a random person to the monkey, he is likely one of the local temple staff or a very frequent guide who the monkeys recognize. The long stick serves two purposes: for tourists, it's a visual deterrent to keep the more aggressive monkeys at a distance. For the monkeys themselves, it's often a signal that the human possesses authority or, more importantly, is the source of food. The monkeys have learned that certain people (the guides/keepers) are the only ones who can safely and reliably exchange items (or simply provide a snack) for their cooperation. They approach the guide because he represents the reward. Our guide giving the peanut bag was likely a small payment to keep the monkeys calm and ensure a safe passage.

The fact that the monkey took the bag "gently" shows that it has a routine with the guide. It knows the source is reliable, and aggressive behavior is unnecessary to get the reward.

After walking deeper along the cliff pathways, right before one of the major viewing platforms there is a statue of Dhang Hyang Dwijendra at Uluwatu Temple. Dang Hyang Nirartha is the revered Hindu priest connected to the founding and spiritual history of Uluwatu Temple. Balinese tradition says he reached enlightenment (moksha) here.

Dhang Hyang Dwijendra standing on circular stepped layers with a fountain-like structure around the base.
This is a well-known monument dedicated to Nirartha and symbolizes his spiritual journey.

As we finished our visit, we began walking back through a quiet pathway shaded by tall trees. The sound of the ocean slowly faded behind us, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of the monkeys.

The path wound gently through the greenery, leading us away from the cliffs and back toward the entrance. After a few minutes, the trees opened up and we reached the end of the park, stepping back into the busy, everyday world after such a powerful and peaceful place.

This “bale” (pronounced bah-leh) is very common in Bali, is an open wooden platforms with a roof where people can rest, wait, or gather. They’re part of traditional Balinese architecture. Built with open sides to let the wind flow through. Often made of wood or bamboo with a thatched or tiled roof. Used in temples, homes, rice fields, beaches, resorts, and parks.

We met up our tour guide here, and she took us to our next destination.