4.4K
Kayu Putih is the name of a giant tree in the center of Bali, considered to be one of the oldest and largest trees on the island.
In some websites it is also known as “Kapok Tree” or “Bayan Ancient Tree” because Bayan is the district it is located in. That nickname may have confused some people as to the exact species as there are many in Bali large Banyan trees.
I’m sure this tree will soon become a popular Instagram spot because it’s perfect for photos and it’s not difficult to get to from Ubud and other tourist areas of Bali.
This travel guide will explain how to get there and everything you need to know before you go.
Facts and history
The name Kayu Putih means “White Wood” in Bahasa Indonesia and is derived from the color of the huge tree’s trunk.
The tree has been nicknamed the “Bayan Ancient Tree” in Instagram posts, leading some people to simply refer to it as a large banyan tree, but figuring out the true species can be a bit more complicated than that.
My first guess was the Kapok tree, but I think that is actually the scientific name for this tree Ficus albipilawhich is a rather rare species in Bali, although it can be considered a species of Banyan.
Local villagers say the tree is over 50 meters tall and 700 years old, which would mean it was a baby when Bali’s famous temples were being built.
Visit Kayu Putih. What to expect?
This is a fascinating tree and probably one of our favorites in Southeast Asia.The photography potential is amazing.
A small Balinese temple sits next to a Kayu Putih tree, but in this case you don’t need to wear a sarong to walk around the outside of the tree.
However, I wouldn’t recommend taking inappropriate photos here or you could get in trouble (i.e. keep your clothes on).
Please try to be respectful as the tree is considered sacred by the locals.
Overall, it’s a great place to visit, combined with Taman Ayun Temple and Sangeh Monkey Forest, both of which are close by.
There are a lot of great photo spots here and you really need a wide angle camera lens to photograph the whole tree, even then it’s hard to justify because it’s so massive and you’ll have lens distortion.
We walked around the tree for almost an hour and took pictures. The trunk even has a little secret “window” you can look through, as seen in the picture below.
Entrance fee
The Kayu Putih tree is FREE to visit since 2024.
There is no entrance fee to see the tree, although they have a donation box where you have to give a small tip.We gave 10k rupees and they were fine with that.
If you ask a local to take a picture for you standing by a tree, I’m sure an extra tip for that would also be greatly appreciated and go a long way.
How to get there?
The Kayu Putih Tree is located in Bayan Banjar, Tabanan, Bali. It is listed as “Bayan Ancient Tree” or “Tourism Kayu Putih” on Google Maps.
The tree and village is a 1 hour drive north from Ubud or Canggu and there is a good paved road leading up to the tree, although the road is too narrow for large buses etc.
The best way to get there is to rent a scooter or hire a private car and driver (both can be booked online).
More cherry trees
If you want to see more impressive trees, check out the Bunut Bolong tree, an ancient banyan tree that you can drive through in the hollow of West Bali.
There is also the Bali Botanical Garden in Bedugul, in the northern part of Bali.This 160-hectare garden has thousands of different types of tropical plants and trees, including a giant twisted Banyan tree that looks like one of the Lord of the Rings walking trees.
It is easy to combine a visit to this park with other attractions in northern Bali, such as the famous Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Lake Temple.
Read more: Bedugul Botanical Garden
Bali Botanical Garden in Bedugul
These roots are all from the same tree.
More Bali travel tips
Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoyed these tips for visiting Bali’s photogenic Kayu Putih Tree.
Don’t forget to check out my complete Bali travel guide for more tips, photos and blog updates.
Bali private driver and motorbike rental
If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English-speaking driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide.
Their prices start at 700k rupiah (~48 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours). That’s the total price of the car + driver + gas. That’s a great deal They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.
If you prefer to travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, raincoat and free delivery in the south of Bali.