VISITING PURA LEMPUYANG TEMPLE – BALI’S GATES OF HEAVEN

Pura Lempuyang is located on the side of Mount Lempuyang and is one of Bali’s oldest and most important temples.

Otherwise known as Penataran Lempuyang or Pura Lempuyang Luhur, Pura Lempuyang temple makes up one of the six sanctuaries in the world, marking the holiest places to worship in Bali.

The temples are positioned across the island and are believed to protect Bali against any evil spirits that may attempt to intrude.

How to get to Pura Lempuyang Temple

From the busier tourist spots of Seminyak and Canggu it will take 2.5 hours to travel to Pura Lempuyang and approximately 2 hours if you’re coming from Ubud.

We recommend staying in Amed, a stretch of coastal villages located 30 minutes away on Bali’s East coast. You can read our top things to do in Amed here.

A scooter is the easiest and cheapest way to travel around the island and rentals start from 60,000 IDR per day. As always, ride carefully and make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance should you need it. We travel with SafetyWing and it’s never let us down.

Another option is to hire a driver who will safely transport you to and from each location including any stops on the way. 

Lempuyang Temple entrance fee and costs

Up until a few years ago, the entrance to Pura Lempuyang was free and only a small donation was asked. Nowadays the cost to enter has risen and you’ll need to fork out 100,000 IDR per person to get through the gates.

On top of the ticket fee there’s also an additional cost for a shuttle bus from the parking area to the temple entrance.

This fee is non-negotiable and you’re not able to take a scooter or car to the entrance gate. You’ll be guided to the shuttle area by a road block upon arrival. 

The road up to the temple is extremely steep and while walking is an option, it’s an extremely strenuous few kilometres that we certainly wouldn’t attempt. 

Due to being a religious complex you must dress respectfully and keep your shoulders and knees covered at all times. Sarongs are available to rent for an additional 10,000 IDR at the ticket office.

Best time to visit

The Gates of Heaven, as referred to by the Western world, are open from 07:00 am – 5:00 pm for visitors, 7 days a week. The temples are open 24 hours a day for worshippers only. 

Pura Lempuyang is now the most photographed place in Bali but the popularity comes at a cost of long queues and waiting times. 

Most blogs will advise you to plan your visit around sunrise but that doesn’t necessarily mean arriving at opening time. Visitors now get there more than an hour before the temple opens and queuing starts as early as 5:00 am.

Bear in mind that the sun usually comes up at between 6:00 – 6:30 am in Bali so you won’t actually be in Pura Lempuyang temple for the sunrise. And while we’re not denying the lighting casts a magical glow across the complex, it may not be enough to outweigh the early start for everyone. 

Another good time to consider is an hour or two before closing. Arriving at 3:00 – 4:00 pm will guarantee you’ll be some of the last people to arrive, the coach tours will have left and the queues subsided. 

What to expect

Penataran Lempuyang is by far the most popular temple within the Lempuyang complex, however there’s much more to see and do. 

In fact, seven temples sit on Mount Lempuyang with a round trip taking approximately 4 hours. The path is taxing in the heat and takes you somewhat off the beaten track high up on the mountain.

Pura Lempuyang is situated on the second level and you’ll need to walk up a steep but fairly short incline from the entrance. Locals will offer you a ride up if you’re willing to pay 200 – 300 IDR.

The Balinese sculptures lining the pathways are exquisite and a real highlight of the temples. Dragon heads guard three large staircases sitting opposite the Gates of Heaven. The middle stairway is off limits but the view from the others is worth the climb.

The main feature of Pura Lempuyang is the white candi bentar split gate that towers over the lower level. The Gates of Heaven frame Mount Agung which sits perfectly in the backdrop and on a clear day the views are spectacular.

Beware of the queues

We arrived mid-morning hoping to wander around the complex before getting our shot of the Gates of Heaven, leaving our afternoon free for another adventure. 

How wrong we were. 

Upon arrival we were shown a map of the temples and informed that to reach the furthest temple, we would be embarking on a 4 hour round-trip. The sun was blazing and we hadn’t come prepared for such a hike. Slap on the wrist for us. 

Instead we opted to look around the immediate vicinity and then headed straight for Pura Lempuyang.

On entry you are given a ticket number which depicts your place in the queue for the iconic photo. We were number 96 and they were currently calling numbers in the 30’s.

It took over three hours for our number to be called. 

The reason? 

Ticket numbers are allocated per group, rather than per individual. Each person is allowed three photos, plus three group photos. Therefore, a group of 10 people will have 33 photos taken and afterwards you’ll only end up one number closer to your turn.

You can walk around and explore other levels while you wait for your number to be called or you can choose to hide away from the sun under the canopies either side of the gates.

The trick behind the photo

If you’ve looked at photos taken in Pura Lempuyang there’s one in particular that stands out. A photo of the white gates reflecting in a pool of water.

So what’s the secret? Well in reality there is no water. The reflection is actually created by a local man holding a mirror underneath your phone camera.

A group of Indonesian men are willing to take your photo, advise on poses and let you know when your turn is over. There’s no additional fee for this but a small tip is always appreciated. 

Is Pura Lempuyang worth visiting?

There’s no denying that Pura Lempuyang has become a tourist hotspot with people seeking out that Instagram worthy photo.

In our opinion the beautiful views and temple architecture still make these Gates of Heaven a must visit. If you put a bit of effort into checking the weather forecast and planing the time of your visit, Pura Lempuyang is a great way to spend half a day.

If you want a full day out, combine with a trip to Tirta Gangga, Bali’s water palace. GetYourGuide provide hassle free tours and come highly recommended.