The Ujung Water Palace is one of the most picturesque and richest historical sites in Bali. It is located in the eastern part of the island, near the town of Amlapura, and was once the residence of the Karangasem royal family.

     Photo: Ujung Water Palace

The palace was built in the early 20th century, between 1909 and 1921, at the initiative of King Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem. The architecture of the complex combines traditional Balinese style with European and Chinese influences, as seen in the symmetrical layout of the palace, decorative columns, and rich ornamentation. The king, known for his love of modernity and foreign travel, is believed to have been inspired by his visits to Europe, where he became familiar with Western architectural and gardening styles.

Photo: Inside the palace

Our visit was brief, lasting about an hour and a half. We started by tasting some treats prepared by Marianka before entering the palace, where we read about the Karangasem royal family and saw their historical photographs. The palace itself is quite small, so after a few minutes, we passed through the main rooms and exited on the other side, finding ourselves at the foot of large steps leading up a hill. From the hill, there’s a panoramic view of the palace gardens, and at the top, there’s a small café where you can relax with drinks and snacks.

The surrounding palace gardens are carefully designed, with pathways, sculptures, and exotic plants. The palace grounds are dotted with pavilions, terraces, and pools, offering stunning views of the nearby mountains and ocean. The Taman Ujung complex consists of three large ponds connected by bridges and canals. One of them houses the main palace building, which served as the audience hall and resting place for the king.

Photo: Panoramic view of Ujung Water Palace

Such elaborate beauty of the palace does not exist without enduring past trials and tribulations: in 1963, the palace was severely damaged by the eruption of Mount Agung. Lava and ash covered the complex, causing extensive destruction. The eruption had catastrophic effects not only on the palace but also on the entire region, killing thousands and destroying many villages. An earthquake in 1979 caused even further damage. In recent years, the palace has been partially restored and is now open to tourists.

The palace consists of three main buildings:

1. The main palace building sits on an island in the middle of the largest pond and is connected to the land by two bridges. It was the central point of the palace, used for meetings and relaxation by the royal family.

Photo: The main palace building, view from a nearby hill

2. Bale Kambang is the second pavilion on the island, surrounded by water, and served as a place of recreation and meetings for the king and his guests.

Photo: Bale Kambang

3. Bale Bundar, with its distinctive round shape and open interior, was used for ceremonies and leisure. It reminded me of a garden gazebo.

Photo: Bale Bundar

We finished our visit with ice cream and cold coconuts, which were available for purchase near the parking lot.

Photo: Drinking cold coconuts in Ujung Water Palace