The much-awaited Garuda Wisnu Kencana – more familiarly known as the GWK – statue has finally been completed and opened to the public in August. The majestic project was started in August 2013, involving an elaborate combination of intricate arts and complex construction. Standing 120.9 metres tall on land 276 metres above sea level, the GWK statue comprises 747 modules and 22 steel segments, weighing 900 tons in addition to the steel weight of 1,300 tons. Made of copper and brass, the statue is also delicately decorated with a gold mosaic. The statue exceeds the heights Christ the Redeemer, The Motherland Calls, Liberty and Ushiku Daibutsu statues.
The GWK statue is located within GWK Cultural Park, which includes the Kura-Kura Plaza, Plaza Wisnu, Parahyangan Somaka Giri, Garuda Plaza, Lotus Pond, Festival Park, Indraloka Garden and Street Theatre, where visitors can enjoy numerous arts and cultural performances. GWK Cultural Park is famed for holding many prestigious events. Various interesting performances can be viewed daily at the amphitheatre, including the iconic Balinese Kecak dance. A film titled Garuda Cilik – telling the story of the namesake creature – is screened at the Garuda Cinema.
