PURA LEMPUYANG TEMPLE & BALI GATEWAY TO HEAVEN

Pura Lempuyang Temple, otherwise known as Bali’s Gateway to Heaven, is a beautiful Hindu religious site located in the East of Bali. As a result of its mountain location overlooking a view of mighty Agung, the Balinese regard it as one of the most sacred temples on the island.  

This temple has become one of Bali’s most visited attractions in recent years; however, most only come for the famous Instagram shot. The Bali Gateway to Heaven is among one of the most Instagrammed spots in Bali. (Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here!) It, therefore, may come as a surprise to learn that there are in-fact seven different sanctuaries within the complex. Exploring them all could take anywhere up to 4-5 hours.

In this guide, we advise everything you need to know ahead of visiting Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali’s Gateway to Heaven. Including entrance fees, how to get there, what to expect & more. 

Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali Gateway to Heaven
Huge queues at Pura Lempuyang Temple – Bali’s Gateway to Heaven

Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali Gateway to Heaven – A Reliable Guide

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How to Get to Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali Gateway to Heaven

Getting to Pura Lempuyang Temple is easy enough; however, it makes sense to stay local, so you don’t have to rush around. A lot is going on in and around the east of Bali, so we suggest spending 2 or 3 days in Amed, which is an excellent base to explore the surrounding area.

If you are travelling from Canggu, you can expect your journey time to be around 2hrs, while from Ubud it is 1.5hrs. Consequently, it pays to be able to ride a scooter as this will be the cheapest and most convenient way of getting there.

To rent a scooter in Bali is around 60,000 IDR per day. The roads in Bali are, for the most part, in excellent condition. And if you are confident on a bike, this is the best way to get around. 

 Alternatively, you can use a local driver or Grab Taxi. The latter tends to be the cheaper option if you plan on going from A to B. However, if you want a driver for the whole day, you should negotiate with a local transport company.

If you follow the pinned location on the map below, the route will lead you up the mountain road to the temple. While the road is in good condition, it’s very steep and full of hairpins, so you’ll need a sturdy bike with good brakes. If there are two of you on a bike, you’ll also want to make sure it’s got a bigger engine for extra power getting up the hill.  

Where is Pura Lempuyang Temple

Pura Lempuyang Temple Entrance Fee

There are no official entrance fees for Pura Lempuyang Temple; however, as always, donations are welcomed. We donated 10,000 IDR per person, but you are free to give whatever you want. 

One mandatory charge, however, is the 10,000 IDR for a sarong. That is unless you have brought your own, and in this instance, there is no charge. 

Things to Know Before Visiting 

Here is all the information you’ll need ahead of visiting Pura Lempuyang Temple:

Opening Times 

The temple is open to visitors from 7 am – 5 pm; however, I know some like to get here earlier, so they are first in line for photos. Yes, it really gets that busy! 

Dress Code

Baring in mind the temple is a religious site, you are required to cover your shoulders and knees to enter the complex. You can bring a sarong you own; otherwise, they are available to rent for 10,000 IDR at the ticket office.

Best Time to Visit

As already mentioned, this temple complex gets extremely busy; however, most only come here for the famous Bali Gate photo. If this is your motive (no judgement here!), you’ll want to visit as early as possible. People queue from 6 am for the perfect shot, and as the day goes on the line can reach up to 2-3 hours!  

On the other hand, if your motive is to explore the entire temple complex, you’ll still want to arrive early so you can get around the grounds before the midday heat sets in. By visiting at 8 am, you could cover the entire complex by noon.  

Guided Tours

Guided Tours are available for most attractions in Bali, including Pura Lempuyang Temple and you can organise online or through the numerous tourist offices located across the island. That said, they do not come cheap, and we find it far more enjoyable to explore the island independently.  

Time Required

Depending on how much of the temple complex you want to cover, you’ll need to allow up to 4 hours.  

Photography Tips

I think I’ve already hammered home on the fact that the Bali Gate at Pura Lempuyang Temple is somewhat of a photography hotspot. While we have to agree that the stunning backdrop of Agung is Instagram worthy, we were shocked by the lengths people would go to for the perfect photo.

First of all, when we visited the temple around midday, there must have been easily 2-300 people in the queue. While this surprised us, sadly this wasn’t the worst of it. We watched as visitors completely disregarded the rules by removing their sarongs, kissing for photos, and generally being disrespectful.  

With this in mind, here are some tips for taking perfect photos at Pura Lempuyang Temple, while respecting the rules and sacredness of the site.  

  • Keep shoulders and knees covered, even when posing for photos. 
  • Avoid kissing in your photos. While it may seem like a cute idea, it is disrespectful to kiss in the temple grounds.
  • You may have seen a reflection shot from the Bali Gateway to Heaven; however, there is no water at the temple.  Instead, a temple guard holds a mirror under your camera to create this dramatic effect.  
  • Bring a tripod if you don’t want the guards to take your photos.
  • Drones are not allowed within the complex.
  • Check the weather before you visit. Unless it’s a clear day, you’ll often find Mount Agung cloaked in clouds.
  • Arrive early to avoid waiting in line for too long.
Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali Gateway
Mirror reflection of Pura Lempuyang Temple

Our Experience at Pura Lempuyang Temple

It was our final day in Amed, and we decided to check out Pura Lempuyang on our drive back to Ubud. Backpacks in tow, we set off around 11.30 am to arrive at the temple by midday. As we struggled up the steep mountain road to the temple entrance, we were grateful for having hired a turbo bike.

The drive alone through this rural area of Bali is picturesque; however, as we crept up the mountain, we got a taste of what awaited us at the top. Even for the views alone, Pura Lempuyang Temple is well worth a visit.  

As expected, the parking area was already teeming with visitors when we arrived. We’d already decided we were not going to replicate the Bali Gate to heaven photo, but was curious to learn what else the temple complex had to offer. We parked up as instructed by a temple guard and made our way over to the ticket office.

We paid 20,000 IDR ($1.40) per person, which included a small donation to the temple and sarong rental. To ensure you are appropriately dressed to enter the temple, the guards will fit your sarong for you.  

From the parking area, you only have to walk a little way up the hill to reach the first temple. Here is where you’ll find the Gateway to Heaven, so consequently it is the busiest temple in the complex. Unfortunately, it was cloudy when we visited; however, on a clear day, you can expect a spectacular view of Mount Agung.  

Despite there being no sign of the volcano, there was an endless queue of people waiting for the shot at the Bali Gate. We heard one girl say she’d waited in line for 2 hours to get her photo! Hence why we recommend arriving early morning to avoid waiting in line.

Although we didn’t queue for the photo, we were able to enjoy the astounding view of the surrounding landscapes. At the same time, we marvelled the traditional Balinese architecture of the temple. They say Pura Lempuyang is a highly regarded temple in Bali, but I have to admit it’s difficult to appreciate the sacredness of a site with so many visitors around.

If you wanted to continue exploring the temple complex, you’d need to make your way further up the mountain.  1700 gruelling steps lead to the very peak of the temple where the reward is breathtaking panoramic views.  We sadly didn’t get this far because of the blistering midday heat;  however, if you like hiking, it sounds like an epic adventure!

Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali Gateway

Where to Stay in Amed

Hostel â€“ Black Sand Hostel â€“ Boasting epic views of Mount Agung, Black Sand Hostel is the best pick of a small bunch in Amed.  The dorms are simple but comfortable and you get a free breakfast included with your stay.

Budget â€“ Ocean Resort Amed â€“ A stunning beachfront property in the heart of Amed, Ocean Resort is incredible value for money.  Boasting an outdoor swimming pool and ocean views, what more could you ask for on a budget.

Mid-Range â€“ Oasis â€“ For a touch of luxury in Amed, Oasis is great value for money.  The property itself is beautiful, boasting a garden, outdoor pool, and restaurant.  Furthermore, you’re not far from Ameds top attraction.

For more places to stay in Amed, you can check the latest prices here.

More on East Bali

Planning a tour around the Eastern part of Bali?  Read our other blog posts to help plan your trip.

10 Days in Bali – Itinerary & Guide

Jemeluk Bay – A Beach & Snorkelling Hotspot

Bukit Cinta & Mount Agung Viewpoint

Bias Tugel Beach – A Guide to Secret Beach

14 Adventurous Things to do in Amed

Well, that concludes our guide to Pura Lempuyang Temple & Bali’s Gateway to Heaven.  If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here!

Stay Adventurous and Happy Travels!

Charlotte & Natalie x

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PURA LEMPUYANG TEMPLE & BALI GATEWAY TO HEAVEN

What is Pura Lempuyang Temple aka Bali’s Gateway to Heaven?

Pura Lempuyang Temple, otherwise known as Bali’s Gateway to Heaven, is a beautiful Hindu religious site located in the East of Bali. As a result of its mountain location overlooking a view of mighty Agung, the Balinese regard it as one of the most sacred temples on the island.  

How to Get to Pura Lempuyang Temple?

If you are travelling from Canggu, you can expect your journey time to be around 2hrs, while from Ubud it is 1.5hrs. A lot is going on in and around the east of Bali, so we suggest spending 2 or 3 days in Amed, which is an excellent base to explore the surrounding area.

How much is Pura Lempuyang Temple Entrance Fees?

There are no official entrance fees for Pura Lempuyang Temple; however, as always, donations are welcomed. One mandatory charge, however, is the 10,000 IDR for a sarong. That is unless you have brought your own, and in this instance, there is no charge. 

What are the opening hours for Pura Lempuyang Temple?

The temple is open to visitors from 7 am – 5 pm; however, I know some like to get here earlier, so they are first in line for photos. Yes, it really gets that busy! 

Things to know before visiting?

In this guide is all the information you’ll need ahead of visiting Pura Lempuyang Temple.

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Charlotte & Natalie

Hi There!

We’re Charlotte & Natalie, a British lesbian couple with a passion for travel and adventure.
Here you will find everything from LGBTQ+ travel & lifestyle advice, to comprehensive guides and itineraries designed to make your travel planning easier.
We want to inspire you to live the life of your dreams.

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