Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi is an archaeological complex of rock-cut shrines in central Bali near the village of Tampaksiring. The monuments are generally dated to the 11th century and are important examples of Balinese stone carving and funerary architecture.

The site consists of a series of cliff-carved candi and shrine niches set into a river valley, reachable by descending paths and terraces through the surrounding rice fields. Visitors come to see the rock-cut monuments, river gorge setting and traditional landscape around the complex.

Scholars date the rock-cut shrines to the island’s medieval period and link them to Bali’s royal dynasties of that era; the complex has been studied as part of Bali’s early temple and funerary traditions. The monuments have been conserved and remain active as cultural and historical sites.

Gunung Kawi lies near Tampaksiring in central Bali, east of Ubud, set in the Pakerisan River valley amid terraces and rural landscape.

• Date and significance: Dating generally to the 11th century and associated with Bali's medieval royal families, the site consists of carved cliff shrines rather than freestanding temples.

What to See #

• Rock-cut shrines: A cliff face carved with rock-cut candi and shrine niches dating to around the 11th century, forming the complex's primary monuments.
• Pakerisan river valley: The river valley setting along the Pakerisan River, with terraces and pathways that link the cliff monuments and surrounding temple grounds.