The controversy surrounding the construction of a glass elevator at one of Nusa Penida's iconic postcard views has flared up again. Foreign tourists arriving in Bali have also joined the protest against the grand project.
Most of those who have already been to the cliff and descended to the beach are convinced that the elevator will ruin the atmosphere not only at the viewpoint but also on the secluded shore, where currently only a few dare to descend.
Even the foreign press has joined the discussion. The Daily Mail wrote that the elevator project is a symbol of the clash between Bali's untouched natural beauty and the development of modern infrastructure designed to attract wealthy foreign tourists.
Social media users are protesting against the construction.
“This structure will truly spoil the beautiful view from above and kill our reason for going there. More people will be on this beach! It would make much more sense to repair the stairs,” people from around the world are writing.
“Building easy access to a beach unsuitable for swimming? Why not do the opposite? Block all access to the beach, as it’s too dangerous. Once the glass elevator is ready, all views will be blocked, and only those who pay a lot of money will be able to see the dinosaur head-shaped cliff. This is the future of Bali for you: all natural beauty handed over to businessmen who monopolize rights to it and profit.”
“This is a war on nature. The beautiful culture and nature of Bali are being destroyed by mass tourism.”
Well-known activist Niluh Djelantik has also spoken out against the construction. She openly shared her observations on the impact of mass tourism on her home province.
“You could give me 100 million dollars, but I still would never ride this elevator. Kelingking Beach is beautiful in itself, and for some people, part of the enjoyment is the effort they must put in to descend and see this beauty, overcoming some difficulties. It must be earned; you can’t just take an elevator down.”
Meanwhile, the construction of the glass elevator at Kelingking Beach is actively ongoing. According to the project, by 2025, heavy machinery and construction crews are expected to permanently change the look of one of the most iconic coastal landscapes in the world.
For now, tourists heading to Kelingking Beach can still enjoy the views that have made Nusa Penida famous around the world. Construction work has not yet impacted the iconic Dinosaur Rock panorama. However, if sitting in the café behind the viewpoint, tourists will see a large yellow crane in the foreground.
The Glass Elevator project is a partnership between the Bali provincial government and a Chinese investment company. Land clearing began in June 2023, and construction officially started in June 2024. As the project progresses, the impact of the construction on the cliff is becoming increasingly noticeable to the public.
Although a moratorium banning the construction of hotels, resorts, villas, and other tourist entertainment facilities is expected to take effect in the coming months, the Kelingking glass elevator project is almost certain to be completed.
The Kelingking Glass Elevator project envisions a 182-meter-high glass elevator that will take tourists from the top of the cliff down to the beach below and back up. Rumors suggest that once the elevator is operational, the free path along the dilapidated steps on the cliffs may be closed.
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