THE world’s most beautiful beach now has the world’s ugliest cliffside elevator, and locals and tourists are not happy.
The wild and treacherous coastline with crystal blue water draws global attention for its beauty, and now a 600ft glass lift connecting the soaring cliffs to soft sands below has everyone outraged.
Kelingking Beach in Bali, famous for its sea-jutting rock formation resembling a dinosaur, has been scarred by the half-built gigantic monstrosity, locals and tourists say.
Currently it can take an hour to make the downhill hike from cliff to beach, where swimming isn’t even allowed due to a spate of deaths and injuries over the years in the wild waters.
The return uphill walk can take two hours, though it hasn’t stopped the destination from becoming a tourism hotspot.
Chinese developer China Kaishi Group is erecting the 182-metre-high lift and adjoining 64-metre bridge for an eyewatering £5.3m.
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Construction began on the controversial project in 2023, which is set to include two external sightseeing elevators, a sky cafe, restaurant and a large, 400sqm panoramic overlook.
In a small win for locals, authorities suspended works last week to determine if building permits were valid.
The project remains in limbo.
Located on Nusa Penida, an island off the coast of Denpasar, Kelingking Beach was voted in the top 50 world’s most beautiful beaches in 2024.
Outrage has been circulating online with one past visitor recalling the “brutal” hike with rickety wood handles and frayed rope.
“Could they improve the walking path? Sure” they said.
“[But] I’m on the side of the locals though, no elevator should be installed here.”
Another person said: “Tourism doesn’t always mean building giant structures. Sometimes the views and untouched scenery are what people come for.”
“This is an incredibly stupid idea and whoever supposedly thought it was ‘the perfect addition’ needs run out of that country,” another comment read.
“I would be pissed if I ever get to visit Bali and that hideous thing was there,” they added.
Bali senator Niluh Djelantik, has also been vocal about her disapproval of the project, said: “Long before this lift was built, we had already voiced our opposition. The risks are too great.”
“Enjoy Bali’s beauty wisely; don’t create access that seems to be leading tourists to the gates of disaster,” she wrote on Facebook.
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The elevator would boost tourism numbers and provide a safe viewing area for travellersthe company said in a media release when construction began.
“Due to the steep cliffs surrounding it, with a vertical drop of nearly 200 meters, reaching the beach requires a nearly two-hour climb down the cliffs, posing a certain degree of danger,” it read.