Ujung Water Palace, which by the local people is called as Taman Soekasada Ujung, lies at Tumbu village, Karangasem district. It is approximately 85 km from Airport Denpasar and 5 km from Amlapura. The water palace was built in 1919. However, the launching of this complex of water palace was performed in 1912. The water palace was constructed by the late King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Djelantik that reigned in Karangasem from 1909 until 1945. This water Palace was majestically built to welcome and to serve important guests and Kings from neighboring countries, besides for the pleasure of the King and his royal family.

courtesy of A. Bulantrisna Djelantik

The greatness of Ujung Water Palace had been destructed by the World War II when Japanese dismantled iron bars in Taman Ujung for weaponry production then followed by Mount Agung eruption in 1963. Another earthquake in North Bali around 1976 helplessly shattered Taman Ujung into pieces. The government and the royal family of Karangasem reconstructed this water palace and restored its former glory.

The complex of this water palace is the combination of Balinese and European architectures. There are three large ponds inside the area. A rest house called “Bale Gili” is situated in the middle of the main pond connected to the edge of the pond by two bridges with a sentry post on each bridge. This rest house consists of four rooms, and the pictures of the royal family can be seen in the middle room. A structure with 12 pillars called “Bale Bundar” is situated on the west side of the pond. “Bale Kambang”, floating house is situated in the second pond, connected to the edge of the pond with path.

There are three gates that can be used to enter this water palace. Each gate has its own view to offer. The visitors who enter this complex through the west gate will be welcomed by the spectacle of Bale Kapal and a series of stairs. The south gate offers a path between two ponds that can be accessed by a vehicle. The east gate, favorite entrance of this water palace is equipped with spring water.

On the highest level of this complex, we will find a great statue of “warak” (rhinoceros). A bull statue is placed beneath the warak statue. From this place, a marvellous view of sea, hills with lush and green forest, the beauty of Mount Agung combined with the green terraced rice fields can be clearly seen.

The Ujung Water Palace is no longer a ruin but a hallmark of Karangasem beauty.

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