Tirta Gangga is a royal water palace near Ababi village in the Abang district of Karangasem, about seven kilometers north of Amlapura. Built in 1946 by the last king of Karangasem as a retreat for the royal family, it is a garden of pools, fountains and stepping stones fed by springs on higher ground. Around it, the hills of Abang are carved into some of the most beautiful terraces in East Bali.
The palace was almost entirely destroyed by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, which looms to the northwest, and has since been restored. The same spring water that fills its ponds also supplies farms below, a reminder that in Bali water is both sacred and practical. The terraces around Ababi and Abang are watered through subak channels drawing on the mountain's springs and streams.
Visitors wander the gardens, crossing the ponds on stone steps among koi and statues. Beyond the palace walls, footpaths climb into the surrounding hills and terraces, where small villages, temples and viewpoints look out toward Agung and the sea. Early morning is cool and quiet, and walking the terraces with a local guide is one of the best ways to see rural East Bali.
Highlights
- Royal water palace built in 1946
- Stepping stones across koi ponds
- Terrace walks around Ababi
- Views toward Mount Agung
Good to know
- Arrive at opening to enjoy the gardens before day-trippers from the south.
- Hire a local guide for walks into the terraces above the palace.
- An entrance fee applies to the water palace.
On the map
Bali 2027 Travel Guide
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