Bali Botanic Garden

What is Bali Botanic Garden?

Bali Botanic Garden stretches over a large area in the highlands of central Bali, with both open lawns and patches of mountain rainforest. The garden displays more than 21,000 living plants from over 2,400 species, including orchids, begonias, bamboos, cacti, ferns, roses, and rhododendrons. Visitors can walk through themed gardens, a conservatory, and a cactus house, or stay at a guesthouse built in Balinese style. The grounds also offer views of Lake Bratan and access to several Hindu temples.

The history of Bali Botanic Garden

The garden began in 1959, soon after Indonesia’s independence, and was called Eka Karya Botanic Garden, meaning 'first creation' in Balinese. It was the first botanic garden set up in Indonesia after independence. Originally, it focused on conifer plants and recreation. Political unrest led to a pause in the 1960s, but the garden reopened in 1975 with a broader mission, growing to its current size by 2001. Today, it serves as a center for plant conservation, research, and public enjoyment.

What there is to see

The garden is open daily and welcomes visitors to explore its many plant collections. There are dedicated areas for orchids, begonias, bamboo, cacti, ferns, roses, and ceremonial plants. The conservatory houses one of the largest begonia displays in the world. Paths wind through rainforest and open spaces, and the garden maintains a herbarium with preserved specimens. A guesthouse is available for those who wish to stay overnight.

When to go

People visit Bali Botanic Garden for many reasons: to study plants, enjoy the cool mountain air, walk among rare species, or simply relax in nature. The garden is also a place for education and conservation, supporting research on plants from Bali and other eastern Indonesian islands. Birdwatchers and nature lovers often spot local wildlife, including birds and small mammals.

Parts and collections

The garden features a wide range of plant collections. Notable highlights include over 300 species of orchids, nearly 100 types of bamboo, a cactus house with 100 species, a fern garden, and a large begonia conservatory. There are also special areas for traditional medicinal and ceremonial plants, as well as a rose and rhododendron garden.

Why Bali Botanic Garden matters

Bali Botanic Garden is important for plant conservation and education in Indonesia. It protects rare species from Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. The garden also connects to local culture, with Balinese-style architecture and access to Hindu temples. It draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, making it a key site for both science and recreation.

The flowers of Bali Botanic Garden

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursOrchidA vast family of colourful, often fragrant flowers found almost everywhere on earthCactusSucculent plants with spines, native to the AmericasRhododendronA vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many coloursBegoniaA vast group of colourful, shade-loving flowering plants from warm climatesCommon rhododendronA dense evergreen shrub with violet-purple flowers from Europe and the CaucasusRhododendron aureumA low evergreen shrub with pale yellow spring flowers from northeastern AsiaRhododendron molleA yellow-flowered deciduous azalea from China and Japan

Questions people ask about Bali Botanic Garden

Good reading and sources

• Bali Botanic Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data