BALI GUIDE: ULUN DANU BERATAN TEMPLE

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Introduction: history/geographical info

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple was built in 17th Century as a tribute to their Hindu Gods, namely Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and also the Goddess of the Lake Dewi Danu. Positioned right at shores of the Lake Bertan, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is often known as floating temple. This is as seen during the wet season from October to April. During the dryer season, one is able to walk down to have a closer look at the temple.

Locals, especially farmers, often come here to pray for water since Lake Bertan is one of the largest lake in Bali and also source of irrigation for plantations and rice fields for the Bedugul region village. 

What to look out for: iconic structures

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple 'floating' on Lake Beratan, with the bedugul mountains as backdrop giving rise to a mesmerising view of the temple. This iconic structure can also be found on their IDR 50,000 dollar note.

You can find banyan trees, various balinese architectures and buddhist Stupa in the park. Sometimes locals may come here to admire the beautiful scenery and picnic. Do buffer some time here for those instagramable photos!

Suggested time required

Both times i came with a guide and we had a timeline to adhere to. We spent an hour or less to explore this place and did not have time to sit down and admire the scenery. If you are making a trip down on your own, you might want to consider taking some time to picnic at the adjacent park. 

Best timing to visit/Season to visit

I visited this place twice in the afternoon and both times they were crowded with tourists. My photo did turn out ok; not so much fog. The first time i visited in September and the wet season came a little early. The base of the temple was submerged in water and the temple did look like it was floating upon the water. However the my second visit during the early October was relatively dry. Even though i was not able to witness the beauty of temple upon the water, i got a chance to walk down closer to the temple. 

If this is your first visit to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple i strongly suggest you visit between late october to april. If you want to make sure your photos are not as foggy, do visit this place in the morning.

Things to prepare: eg attire

Put on your nice casual attire to take a photo with the temple or the surrounding insta-worthy structures. 

How to get there

Based on our suggested itinerary, start your day at

1. Ulun Danu Bertan temple, then proceed to
2. Jatiluwih Rice Terrace
3. Taman Ayun Royal Palace follow by
4. Tanah Lot Temple for Sunset

Opening Hours/Entrance Fee

Opens: 08:00 to 18:00 daily. 24 hours for Balinese Prayers

ENTRANCE FEE: IDR 50,000 for adult, IDR 25,000 for child

TOILET FEE: IDR 2,000 per person (I PAID TWICE )

What to do: photography expedition/chill/activities/trek

Photography, strolling in the park and even picnic! Sometimes you can see locals picnicking in the area.

Tips:

Empty your bladder if you want to save IDR 2000 chargeable for use of toilet, factor in some time to walk around the small park and the recently built insta-worthy ornament. 

Food/stalls

Our guide brought us there to try one of the restaurants in the vicinity but we do not really recommend them. Consider having your tummy filled somewhere else before visiting. Alternatively you can do what the locals do too; picnic in the park!

If you are only planning on doing daytrip you can click here to check out Wonders of Bali Tour that will bring you to Taman Ayun, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Butterfly Park, Gitgit waterfall and the famous UNESCO heritage site Jatiluwih Rice Terrace only at an affordable $85!