The Rp 200 billion glass elevator project at Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali, has been officially halted following intense public backlash and scrutiny from the authorities.
Construction of Bali Glass Elevator Project in Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida Cliff Suspended
The 182-metre-high structure, designed to link the upper cliffside to the beach below, quickly became one of the most talked-about developments on the island after videos of its construction went viral in late October 2025.
The Chairman of the Special Committee for Spatial Planning, Assets, and Permits (Pansus TRAP) of the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), I Made Supartha, said the project risked violating Indonesia’s spatial planning law.
He explained that, under Law Number 26 of 2007 concerning Spatial Planning, such construction is no longer permitted.
“According to the law, it is no longer permitted. Therefore, those who issue permits could face criminal penalties,” Supartha told Liputan6 on Wednesday, 29 October 2025.
@sima.miller sadly the rumors are true… An elevator is being constructed at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida, aiming to provide easier access to the beach. The elevator will cover a vertical height of approximately 180m, replacing the steep and challenging descent down the cliff. This development will significantly alter the experience of visiting this iconic beach. Everyone who intends to see this beach should go there ASAP. But it’s still a mesmerizing experience. 🙏🏻 – – – – – – – #fyp #badnews #bad #breakingnews #news #indonesianews #balinews #nusa #nusapenida #kelingkingbeach #kelingking #bali #balilife #balidaily #tourguide #balitourguide #indonesia #pov #adventure #explore #beautifuldestinations #travel #solotravel #travelblogger #traveladvice #travelhacks #travelindonesia #travelitinerary #tourism ♬ Fourth of July – Sufjan Stevens
Bali Authorities Doing Investigation and Temporary Suspension
As public criticism intensified, the Bali DPRD’s Special Committee on Spatial Planning, Assets, and Permits (TRAP) carried out an unannounced inspection of the Kelingking Beach site. The investigation confirmed that the project was indeed located within a protected disaster mitigation area.
“From a legal perspective, it’s prohibited. Therefore, even those issuing permits could face criminal charges,” Supartha reiterated, as quoted by Tribunnews on 31 October 2025.
Following the inspection, the committee recommended that all construction work be suspended. The Bali Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), headed by I Dewa Nyoman Dharmadi, then moved quickly to install a Pol PP Line around the elevator site, sealing off the crane and surrounding areas.
Supartha said the decision was not about rejecting investment but about balance, explaining that it is about maintaining harmony between development and environmental responsibility.
World-Famous Kelingking Beach: A Natural Beauty Under Pressure
Kelingking Beach, located in Bunga Mekar Village, Nusa Penida, has long been one of Bali’s most iconic natural sites, known for its cliffs shaped like a Tyrannosaurus Rex’s head.
Before its rise to fame in 2016, the area was an isolated coastal cliff covered with bushes and juwet trees. The site’s international popularity grew after photographs of its dramatic cliffs went viral on social media, earning it the title of the world’s most Instagrammable beach in 2021, with over 26 million tagged posts.
In 2023, Kelingking Beach ranked 16th in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. Yet, its beauty comes with challenges. The steep 80-degree descent to the beach, reached only by a bamboo ladder and ropes, makes access difficult for most visitors.
The proposed Bali glass elevator was marketed as a solution to this, intended to improve accessibility for tourists unable to climb the cliff path. However, critics argued that the construction would permanently damage the site’s natural appeal and fragile landscape.
Timeline of the Bali Glass Elevator Project
The Beginning of Bali Glass Lift Project (2023)
The plan for the glass elevator began in 2023 when PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property Investment Development Group partnered with PT Bangun Nusa Property (BNP) and the local traditional village to develop a modern tourism facility at Kelingking Beach. Residents said that several community meetings were held before final approval was granted.
July 2023 – Groundbreaking
By July 2023, the groundbreaking ceremony took place. Developers announced an ambitious design: a 182-metre-high, 64-metre-long, and 7-metre-wide elevator, promoted as the world’s first “environmentally and culturally friendly glass viewing platform.” The developer, China Kaishi Group, began construction on the multimillion-dollar elevator project in July 2023.
Licensing and Construction Stage
Investors processed all permits through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system under the central government, including environmental permits from national agencies. As a result, the Klungkung Regency Government had limited power to reject the project, even if concerns arose locally. By mid-2025, construction had reportedly reached 70 per cent completion.
October 2025 – The Viral Controversy and public outrage
In late October 2025, a video showing the elevator’s steel framework spread across social media, reigniting debate about development on Bali’s natural coastlines. Many users criticised the project, warning that it could destroy one of the island’s most recognisable natural landmarks.
Regent’s Statement and Provincial Review
Responding to the controversy, Klungkung Regent I Made Satria clarified that the initiative did not start under his administration.“I only found out after investigating the project with the community. From residents’ accounts, outreach had been carried out repeatedly,” he said on 30 October 2025.
The regent also confirmed that the Governor of Bali had requested an urgent review.
“We will wait for the provincial team to evaluate. Because this is a coastal area, the main authority lies with the provincial and central governments,” he added.
Awaiting Final Evaluation
As of now, the Bali glass elevator project remains suspended while provincial authorities conduct a full review. The case has reignited long-standing discussions over how Bali should balance tourism development with environmental conservation.
Some of local resident see the elevator as a modern solution to improve visitor access, while opponents argue that it undermines the island’s natural heritage.
The final decision will depend on whether the provincial and central governments determine that the project can continue without breaching legal and ecological safeguards.
