With its fine white sands and tranquil blue waters, Pandawa Beach has long been considered one of the most picturesque attractions in Bali, Indonesia.
More than a decade ago, Pandawa Beach was only known to locals due to the limestone cliffs making access difficult for visitors. However, everything changed in 2012 when a road leading down to the beach was created by cutting through the cliffs.
Pandawa Beach, a picturesque paradise.
The road making access to Pandawa Beach easier and faster.
Today, that road has somewhat become a tourist attraction itself, sparking lively debate among visitors.
Since its inauguration in 2013, the road has transformed this secluded area into a popular tourist destination. Visitors from all over flock here, eager to take photos on a road nestled between two vertical cliffs rising at a 90-degree angle.
| “Pandawa Coastal Road” was initiated in 2011. At that time, bulldozers and excavators began carving through the plateau, creating a road that is nestled between two high cliffs. Funded by both the Indonesian government and private investors, it was completed just two years later and immediately impressed both tourists and locals. |
According to The Bali Sun, the 300-meter long and 8-meter wide road has recently garnered significant attention from the online community worldwide after a video of it was posted on social media.
The video begins with aerial footage above the cliff gap, zooming in on the cliffs showing many cars parked and tourists happily taking photos.
Shared by the Instagram account “Something Incredible Took Place,” the video sparked a buzz online with mixed reactions.
Instagram user “Shevinna1021” commented that the two-year construction of the road is truly “amazing,” while another exclaimed “gorgeous.”
However, when the video was reposted on Reddit, netizens sparked a debate about the road.
User “Ozzy_thedog” wrote: “It seems like this wasn’t a well-thought-out idea.”
A tourist admitted she had long wanted to walk along this road after seeing photos of it online.
User “Smithmonster” replied, “I think so too. Why not make a slope road at the top rather than cutting it in two? It seems very strange.”
Another user wrote: “I must say I don’t like cutting through an entire area just to make access easier to the beach.”
Others expressed concern about potential accidents with the road during earthquakes. Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where up to 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur.
Netizen “LakerBeer” commented: “It looks like a deadly trap waiting to happen if an earthquake or tsunami occurs.”
“Imagine an earthquake happens and it gets destroyed. I doubt that,” another added.
Despite the mixed opinions, this road has long become a tourist hotspot. Many visitors take selfies and record videos among the towering cliffs.
Instagram user “Azlinfarida”, who describes herself as a “travel enthusiast,” visited the road last month and admitted she had wanted to visit this spot for a long time after seeing photos of it online.
Local tour operator Bali Ogie noted that Pandawa Beach was once a “secret beach” accessible only to locals. “It was very hard to reach because it is located in a deep valley surrounded by all the white cliffs.”
However, when the road to Pandawa Beach opened in 2012, it became more popular.
According to Travel Triangle, the current entrance fee for the road is 15,000 Indonesian Rupiah (equivalent to 23,000 VND) and it is rated 4 stars on TripAdvisor, with reviews stating it is the “most beautiful beach in Bali.”
