Bali has halted construction of a 182-meter glass lift that was being built into the cliffs of Kelingking Beach, after photos of the project went viral and unleashed a wave of public anger. The elevator, designed by Chinese developer China Kaishi Group, was meant to whisk visitors down to the beach below – but for many locals, it was the final straw in a pattern of developments they say are eroding the island’s natural beauty.
The lift was carved directly into Kelingking’s famous “T-Rex” cliff on Nusa Penida, one of Bali’s most photographed spots. When images of the concrete shaft slicing through the limestone started circulating online, outrage followed fast. Locals and tourists alike said the structure was ruining the view and destabilizing the fragile coastline. “It’s a shame that the beautiful view of Kelingking Beach has been destroyed by the lift project,” resident Made Sediana told The Bali Sun. “Tourists come to Nusa Penida to enjoy the panorama, not the lifts.”
Authorities have since confirmed that the $12 million project hadn’t secured the necessary environmental and construction permits. Bali senator Niluh Djelantik, who had spoken out against the plan long before work began, warned that it was “leading tourists to the gates of disaster.” She urged the government to “enjoy Bali’s beauty wisely” instead of turning cliffs into construction sites.
The project was supposed to make the treacherous 45-minute hike down to Kelingking’s beach easier. The climb back up, which can take nearly two hours, has long been a test of endurance for visitors. Supporters of the lift argued that it would boost tourism and accessibility. Critics say that’s exactly the problem: the easier it is to reach the beach, the more overcrowded and unsafe it becomes.
Kelingking’s waters may look idyllic, but they’re notoriously dangerous. Strong waves and riptides make swimming there risky, and local officials have repeatedly warned visitors to stay out of the surf. Even so, drownings and near-misses happen every year. Some residents worry that more tourists at the bottom of the cliff means more accidents waiting to happen.
Bali’s rapid growth has already brought tension between development and conservation, with several major Chinese-backed projects underway, including a multibillion-dollar second airport. The suspension of the glass lift feels like a rare moment of pushback, a reminder that not every corner of paradise needs an upgrade.