Pura Lempuyang is the place to get that iconic photo – with a mirror reflection of the candi bentar (split gates) in front of majestic Gunung Agung. The scene makes a striking photo, but there’s far more to this sought-after picture than a clever illusion. The candi bentar, which serves as a spiritual threshold between the outside world and a sacred space, marks the entrance to one of Bali’s important directional temples.
Pura Lempuyang (70,000Rp) is a complex of seven temples perched on the steep slopes of Gunung Lempuyang (1058m), a "twin" of neighboring Gunung Seraya. The largest and most easily accessible temple is Pura Penataran Lempuyang , where visitors queue for hours to be photographed.
From a second temple, 2km uphill, the calf-punishing stair climb begins: it's 1700 steps from here to the highest temple, Pura Lempuyang Luhur . Visiting all seven temples takes at least four hours and involves a breathtaking 2900 steps.
Pura Lempuyang is open to visitors from 5am. In the car park, you need to pay 50,000Rp for the shuttle that takes around eight minutes to transport you up the steep, winding hill to the entrance. Upon paying the admission fee, you're given a ticket number to have your pic taken between the gates.
