Officials Give Tourists Clarification Over Nusa Penida Elevator Controversy

Set to be Bali’s next biggest tourist attraction, the 182m Glass Elevator and Viewing Platforms had been under construction for more than a year when the provincial government halted the whole thing due to building permit violations. 

Latest Situation & Advisory Details

The Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator Project has been a major story in Bali over the last 18 months. The project was greeted with outcries from the public when it was first announced that the creation of the 182m elevator shaft, viewing platforms, and supporting tourism infrastructure would create irreversible changes to the iconic limestone cliff face.

Nusa Penida is one of Bali’s top tourism destinations, and Kelingking Beach is perhaps the world’s most famous coastal viewpoint. 

The project was created in partnership with the local community and received millions of dollars in investment from a Chinese investment company, PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property.

The reasons for the story hitting headlines again today are that the project was issued with demolition orders by Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster in November 2025.

The team was given three months to remove all evidence of the project and a further three months to return the landscape to its original condition.

Affected Corridors & Port/Flight Status

In early February, the lawyers for PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property spoke to reporters to confirm that they were pushing back against the demolition orders.

Gede Adi Putrawan confirmed that PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property was launching a lawsuit for material and immaterial damages incurred as a result of the provincial government’s move to scrap the project. However, in March 2026, PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property was issued with its final warning letter from the government. 

The lawyers explained, “We refuse to suffer any losses due to government mismanagement related to permits. There must be parties held legally responsible, both criminally and civilly. Whatever the reasons put forward for sealing our client’s project, none of the fault lies with our client.”

Adding “If we’re considered at fault, then whose responsibility is it for allowing this project to begin and even reach 70 percent completion? Moreover, we’ve fulfilled all the requirements and permits.”

Over the last few days, videos have been circulating on social media showing construction teams working on the Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator site.

Safety Restrictions & Operational Directives

The video has sparked concerns that construction has been resumed on the project, resulting in the Klungkung Regency Government now coming out to confirm that the video’s narrative is false.

The Head of the Nusa Penida Tourism Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD), Ketut Lama, told reporters that the video actually shows a local inspection conducted by the Denpasar Administrative Court panel on 24th June. He explained that no physical activity has been reported regarding the construction of the elevator on the Kelingking Beach cliff.

He shared, “The video that’s trending on social media isn’t about the ongoing construction, but about the Denpasar Administrative Court (PTUN) team conducting the inspection.” Noting “Until now, there has been no development like the one currently being widely reported on social media,

Lama was able to confirm that the lawsuit filed by investors against the Bali Provincial Government is still in court. He called on the public to carefully investigate the facts before circulating information on social media.

For tourists visiting Nusa Penida and specifically Kelingking Beach, everything is business as usual. While the construction site is still in place, the iconic viewpoint is not obstructed. As ever, tourists traveling to Kelingking Beach are advised to take on the treacherous coastal path from the cliff top to the beach at their own risk. Kelingking Beach is a strictly no-swim zone at all times, as is Nusa Penida’s Diamond Beach. 

What Travelers Should Do

Maritime and atmospheric weather patterns can affect inter-island boat crossings to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Lombok. When swell or weather warnings are active, travelers should confirm departure schedules directly with licensed harbor operators and maintain flexible itinerary timing. For live harbor advisories, wave heights, and marine condition reports across Badung Strait, refer to our Island Travel Safety Radar.