Tirta Gangga is a palace and village in Eastern Bali, near the coastal towns of Amed and Candidasa.  It is renowned for its beautiful and elaborate water gardens and the nearby rice paddies.  When translated, Tirta Gangga means water from the Ganges.  If you love trekking in the midst of water fountains, pools, gardens, stone structures and the nearby rice fields then this is the place to be.  The area is certainly one of the best and scenic walks in Bali, suitable to people of all fitness levels.  A camera should be ready at all times!

Tirta Gangga was built in 1948 by the King of Anak Agung Anglurah, the king of Karangasem Regency at the time and is a site that Balinese Hindus hold with great reverence.  Unfortunately, the site was almost entirely destroyed by a 1963 volcanic eruption.  It has since been rebuilt and restored back to its original state.

So, what is there to see here?  The 12,000 square meter water palace, filled with decorative ponds, fountains and lush gardens is an obvious choice.  The main attraction here is the 11-tiered lotus water fountain which serves as the unofficial symbol of the water palace.  There are also many beautiful carvings and statues adorning the gardens.  The water circulating in the garden is considered holy and is used for important religious festivals and ceremonies.

The area around the water palace is also stunning.  Beautiful rolling rice paddies are in abundance and serve as a great opportunity for photo taking.  Nearby hills and mountains that dominate the horizon adds to the already beautiful scenery.

There is actually another smaller water garden called Taman Ujung located not too far from Tirta Gangga and constructed by the predecessor of King Anak Agung Anglurah.  It may not be as grand as Tirta Gangga but it is still a site worth visiting.  It was also damaged by the 1963 eruption and again by a 1979 earthquake, but has not has not been restored on the same scale as Tirta Gangga.

Gain fascinating insight into Bali’s distinctive heritage and landscapes with Exotissimo’s Bali Explorer tour.  The tour is specifically designed for you to explore some of Bali’s main attractions, including a stop at Tirta Gangga as well as Bali’s lesser known attractions and hidden gems.  You can also contact us if you have any questions regarding our Indonesia tours or Indonesia day trips or if you would like to tweak or combine any of our tours.