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Capital: Denpasar
Population: Over 300'000
Location: Central & South Bali
Important Phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries - (0361) 108
Badung Tourist Office - Jl. Bakungsari #1, Kuta.
Telp: 756176
Villages, sites & temples of Badung Regency are:
Denpasar - capital of regency; Nusa Dua, Tanjung
Benoa (tanjung - peninsula), Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Kuta,
Legian, Seminyak, Petitenget Temple, Canggu, Kapal,
Mengwi, Taman Ayun Temple, Bukit Sari Temple, Sangeh
(monkey forest).
Denpasar: Bali's capital.
Sites and places of interest in Denpasar:
Museum of Bali - Puputan Sq. Denpasar's only
museum was built in 1932. This ethnographical museum
(ethnography being the study of a particular society
and culture) contains many prehistoric and historic
instruments and textiles.
Pura Jagatnatha - One of Bali's most visited
temples, located next to the museum, Puputan Sq. and
near the Four faced Statue in central Denpasar. This
temple is especially worth visiting for the
Saraswati, Galungan and Kuningan ceremonies.
Art Centre Werdhi Budaya - Puputan Sq, Bali's
centre for dance and art. This art complex has a
large amphitheatre that stages many of Bali's
traditional dances. It is the centre of activity
throughout the Bali Art's Festival held every year,
mid June - mid July.
Indonesia Art Institute - Bali's dance, music and
art institute. The STSI amphitheatre stages monthly
full moon dance performances.
Badung/Kumbasari Market - Recently renovated
market that provides for al the locals needs.
Beautifully arranged fruit, flowers for offerings,
herbs, spices and all kinds of local handicrafts
stretch out into two main buildings over the
Denpasar River. Jl. Sulawesi is the neighboring
street that provides a myriad of fabrics and
textiles.
Kreneng Market - The second largest
traditional market in Denpasar. It is renowned for
its night stalls selling many varieties of Balinese
food and drink.
Bird Market - Located on Jl. Veteran, this
market sells an assortment of beautiful birds and
other animals including the unique Kintamani dog.
Please remember it is illegal to keep certain birds
and animals in captivity!
Puputan Badung Square - The city's central
park. A statue commemorates a heroic moment in the
battle of 1906. It is the location for many of
Bali's pageants and processions. Nyepi and the
opening ceremony of The Bali Arts Festival is held
around this square. One of Bali's oldest temples
Puri Jaganatha and the Museum of Bali are on one
side of this square.
Catur Muka Statue (Four faced statue) -
Standing in the centre of Denpasar, to one side of
the Puputan Square, is a large granite, statue
depicting Brahma as the almighty Creator of the
world, nature and all it's inhabitants.
Puri Satria, Pemecutan Jero Kuta & Puri Kesiman
- These palaces have seen better days but all are a
good example of traditional Balinese architecture.
Other interesting locations within the Badung
Regency are:
Uluwatu Temple - perched on a high cliff on
the Southwest tip of Bali, Uluwatu Temple is one of
Bali's older places of worship. Built around the
11th century, by Hindu high priest Empu Kuturan; it
is inhabited by a group of sacred monkeys who guard
the temple. This is one of Bali's best sunset spots.
Beaches on Bukit - southern peninsula;
Uluwatu, Gerger, Goa Suluban, Padang Padang, Nyang
Nyang, Bingin, Dreamland, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran,
Kedonganan. Many of the above beaches are famous
surfing spots, some are difficult to access and the
waves are generally for the intermediate to advanced
surfer. Beware of corals and strong currents.
Nusa Dua - A major tourist resort on the
southern most peninsula of the island. Set on about
450 hectares, this well groomed tourist enclave
boasts 3.5 kilometers of white sand beaches, a
number of five star hotels and one of the world's
best golf courses, Bali Golf & Country Club -
recently voted to be amongst the best 5 courses in
the world. Convention halls, amphitheatres, shopping
centers & immaculate landscaping make Nusa Dua an
ideal place to stay if you wish to get away from it
all.
Tanjung Benoa - Benoa Peninsula - bordering
Nusa Dua to the north this peninsula offers
travelers fine hotels, water sports and similar
environs as Nusa Dua.
Jimbaran - On the west coast of the Bukit
Peninsula, near the airport, is Jimbaran Bay. It is
home to some of Bali's top hotels, Four Seasons
Resort, Ritz Carlton and Bali Intercontinental
Resort. Guests can sail swim and even go fishing in
the bay. Jimbaran village has long been one of
Bali's traditional fishing villages and the
traditional fish market offers delicious seafood
right on the beach.
Tuban - The area, just slightly north of the
airport, known as Tuban, has long enticed tourists
to her reasonably priced hotels, well-groomed
beaches and organized nightlife. The Waterbom Park &
Spa, go-karts and hotel sports facilities fulfill
daytime pleasures; large shopping centers with many
restaurants, local, international and fast food
outlets stay open well into the night. Tuban is also
well known for the horse drawn carts that can be
seen taking visitors around the area.
Kuta - World famous for sand, surf and
shopping, this area is jam-packed with activity 24
hours a day! Kuta is a major hustling & bustling
resort town, with hundreds of hotels, bars,
restaurants and shops. Here, small guesthouses and
large hotels jostle for positioning along the
beachfront. Beach sellers endlessly offer their
wares to the sun-worshipper; sarongs, jeweler,
shells, massages and manicures; even bows and
arrows.
Proclaim an interest in purchasing something and
these beach marketers will crowd round the
unsuspecting tourist until a sale is struck. This is
part of the fun of Bali. Nightlife is a major
happening in Kuta with a number of surf bars, cafes
and restaurants offering videos, cheap drinks and
even cheaper food.
The more upmarket restaurants are ensconced in
Kuta's small narrow (gangs) alleyways. The
internationally famous Poppies and a string of other
hidden garden paradi offer the weary tourist a
welcome respite from the haggling streets. Cold
beers, exotic cocktails, delicious food all, at a
fraction of the European price. If action is what is
wanted then Kuta is the place to be!
Seminyak - Heading north along the main
street of Kuta (Legian St) is Seminyak, the slightly
more up market area of Kuta, housing the quaint
local hangouts of some of the foreign Bali
residents. Italian, Indian, Greek, French and many
more are just a sample of not only the food on offer
but also of the cosmopolitanism that Seminyak has
become.
Fashion boutiques, interior designers, candle
makers, painters and many more are the chosen
careers of these eclectic nomads. The most famous
landmarks here are Teras, Pantarei, Ryoshi, all
restaurants that usually start buzzing at about
10pm. ; Café Luna, Café del Mar, the A-Bar & Liquid
are the human watering holes all located on Jl.
Dhyana Pura that really come alive after midnight.
Double Six (66) the only beach night-club in the
area stays open until 6.00 am.
Kapal : This roadside town produces a large
part of Bali's ceramics, statues and temple
accessories. The Sadat Temple in the town centre has
interesting wall carvings.
Mengwi & Pura Taman Ayun - Originally built
in the 17th century, this royal family garden temple
was extensively renovated in the early 1900's.
Surrounded by a moat and lotus lake, the temple's
inner courtyard has an impressive number of Merus -
tiered shrines built for the Bali's ancestors and
heroes.
Bukit Sari Monkey Forest & Pura Bukit Sari -
near the village of Sangeh, just north of Mengwi. A
troupe of monkeys guard the impressive 17th century
temple, which is set in the heart of a nutmeg
forest. Beware of the monkeys as they have a
reputation for being swift of hand and light of
foot! Hold onto your cameras and bags tightly, it is
best if you don't wear jewels.
Capital - Bangli
Highest Peak - Mt. Abang - 2'152m.
Location: Central - Eastern Bali
Land Area: 520'81 sq. km.
No. Of Districts - 4 ( Bangli, Kintamani, Susut,
Tembuku)
Important Phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries - 036691108
Bangli Tourist Office - Tlp: 0366 - 91537
(Address - Jl. Sriwijaya #23)
History :
As Lake Batur located in the Bangli Regency, was a
major source of irrigation water for south & east
Bali, the regency was greatly fought over by
neighboring rulers. Bangli became the capital of
this Balinese kingdom in the year Balinese Icaka
year of 1204.
Sites:
Bangli Town - Located in the southern part of
the regency, on the foothills of the Batur volcanic
range -: The ancient Kehen Temple (Pura Kehen) in
Bangli, is famous for having been built under an
enormous Banyan tree*.. The walls are inlayed with
pieces of chipped porcelain and the upper sanctuary
has 11 tapering merus (resting places of the gods).
There is a small museum (Saison Buddha Bangle)
nearby. Every 3 years the Kehen temple celebrates a
unique festival, in which offerings tower high in
the courtyard and ritual Baris Warrior Dances are
performed utilizing different weapons. The nearby
Sasana Art Centre also organizes the occasional art
& dance performance. The view beyond the town of
Bangli, from Demulih Hill (Bukit), offers and
astounding view. (* These trees -fiches benjeminica
or religiosa-, visible all over Bali, can grow with
or without aerial roots. They are of special
significance to the Balinese who believe that they
are the dwelling place of spirits. They are usually
sashed around the trunk, with a chequered black &
white cloth, and are the recipients of many daily
offerings.)
Bamboo Forest nr. Kubu : Located 5kms. From Bangli;
many different types of bamboo, such as Petung and
Bambu Talang grow in this forest, the sound of the
wind blowing through the bamboo is quite unique.
Dusun Kuning Waterfall - 6 kms. South of
Bangli; near to Dusun Kuning village is a 25 m. high
waterfall that flows into the Melangit River to the
south. The cool and shady clove-tree forest that
surrounds these falls is home to hordes of monkeys.
Mt. Batur -1'750m. Last active 1926. The
Batur complex has been described as one of the
largest and finest calderas in the world, (caldera
being a volcano with a lake in the centre of the
crater). Lake Batur, is a major source of irrigation
water for both south & east Bali. On the western
shore is Toyah Bungkah; surrounded by a stark
volcanic landscape is an ideal spot for fishing and
swimming. A hot spring, with supposed curative
powers, is worth a visit. Terunyan village - Located
on Northeast shore of Lake Batur, and only
accessible by a 30 minute boat trip, departing from
Kedisan village, located on the southern side of the
lake. (The name of this village is derived from the
words Taru & Menyan - the smell of the fragrant tree
of incense growing in this village). One of Bali's
most famous sites, this village's immaculately kept
houses, streets and grass verges are reminiscent of
what Bali might have looked like in days gone by.
This Bali Aga village does not perform the ngaben,
or usual cremation ceremony, that Bali is famous
for, but uniquely preserves it's deceased by leaving
the bodies, (although covered in shrouds, the face
is left uncovered) under the fragrant & magical,
incense tree. This method of "embalming" is called
Mepasah. Trunyan's temple is the Pancering Jagat
Temple (or navel of the world temple) and houses a 4
meter high statue known as Arca da Tonta. The Barong
Brutuk dance is staged here on the full moon of (Purnama)
Sasih Kapat. Masked dancers whip bystanders &
spectators in this totally unique land fertility
dance.
Penglipuran - A traditional, picturesque
Balinese village, with a population of 750. The
Penglipuran Heroes Monument was built here in
commemoration of Cpt. Anak Agung Gde Mudith and his
troops.
Pengotan Village - A traditional pre
Majapahit village with different traits and customs
than other villages in Bali. Many unique dances are
staged at Pura Penataran during temple festivals.
The Papah "war', various Baris dances and even the
manner in which they bury their deceased is
completely different to that other Balinese
villages.
Penulisan - Picturesque village with
panoramic views. Nearby in the village of Tegeh
Koripan, a temple with a long flight of stairs is
often shrouded in mist giving it a magical
appearance.
Pura Dalem Balingkang - Pinggan Village
(located in the northern part of Lake
Batur)originally built as a palace, this unique
temple has a delightful mix of Balinese and Chinese
influences. Picturesque mountain scenery.
Puncak Penukisan Temple - This temple located
on Penulisan hill, the dividing line between north
and south Bali, consists of 5 different temple
complexes situated on various terraces. Stone
statues in the fifth complex are believed to be from
the megalithic era.
Pura Ulun Danu Batur - 990m above sea level -
in Kalanganyar, Batur Village, Kintamani District.
These surviving shrines of this temple were
relocated to its present location after a
devastating eruption in 1917.An anniversary ceremony
(Ngusaba Ke Dasa) is held each year. This temple
houses an impressive Gong Gede (large gong) which is
used to accompany the sacred Baris & Rejang dances
which usually take place around the third week of
March.
Tamanbali - Raja - A large water garden
temple built by King Sang Anom. Ponds and water
features with a vast array of tropical flora
surround this temple.
Bangli's Arts & Crafts
Article Village
- Palm Leaf Handicrafts - Cempaga, Tanggahan, Peken,
Susut, Kayubihi, Undisan, Throughout Bangli
- Gold & Silver
- Bamboo Handicrafts
- Wood Carving(Furniture & temple)
Other sites are:
Balai Seni Art centre - Kintamani.
Subandar shrine.
Penelokan - volcano & Lake view.
Capital - Singaraja
Location: North & North Western Bali
Important Phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries - 0363 22108
Buleleng Tourist Office - Jl. Vetran 23 Tlp: 0363
61141
Villages, sites & temples of Buleleng Regency are:
Singaraja - capital of regency; (sites are listed
from west to east). Deer Island (Menjangen), Teluk
Terima, Pulaki Temple, Gondol, Banjar Hotsprings,
Banjar Tega's Buddhist Monastery, Temukus War
Monument, Sing Sing Waterfalls, Lovina, Banyuning,
Beratan, Sangsit, Jagaraja, Sawan, Kubutambahan, Air
Sanih, Ponjok Batu, Julah, Sembiran, Gitgit
Waterfall, Pancasari, Munduk.
Singaraja - Bali's chief port in Dutch colonial
times, this town received many influences from the
foreign traders. Singaraja has a number of Chinese
Temples and colonial buildings. The Gedong Kertya
Library houses a unique collection of Lontar (palm
leaf) scriptures written in Balinese covering many
issues including traditional literature, medicinal
formulas, black magic and many more. There are a
number of old books in English, Dutch and Ancient
Javanese (Kawi).
Buleleng Harbor - this historical but unused harbor
is located along the north coast. Old warehouses, an
ancient jetty and an arched bridge are all that is
left of this one time major seaport. Here a monument
has been built in commemoration of Bali's struggle
to defeat the Dutch.
Singa Ambara Raja - A famous town landmark is the
winged-lion statue located on Jl. Veteran, near the
Tourist Office and opposite the office of the
Governor of Buleleng, which symbolizes the heroic
spirit of the people of Buleleng.
Pura Agung Jagatnatha - One of Bali's biggest &
newest temples; an outstanding feature is the
Padmasana, a shrine that symbolically represents the
three parts of the Balinese Universe.
Deer Island (Pulau Menjangan) - 79 km west of
Sinagraja. One of the most famous marine parks in
the world, and part of the West Bali National Park.
Rare and protected Java Deer inhabit this small
island, however visitors usually come for the diving
and snorkeling.
Labuhan Lalang - a small port where divers and
visitors may catch a boat to Deer Island.
Teluk Terima - 76 kms west of Singaraja. Also known
as Jayaprana's grave; this site remembers the sad
love story between a prince wishing to marry a
country girl, however the king also wished to marry
the girl and so had the prince killed. On dreaming
of the happenings the girl killed herself rather
than marry the wicked king. A panoramic view to the
north makes this a site well worth visiting.
Banyuwedang - 60 km west of Singaraja. Natural Hot
Springs with supposed curative powers near a temple.
In need of upkeep.
Pulaki Temple - 53 km west of Singaraja. A large
temple on both sides of the road part is perched on
craggy rock looking out to sea, the other part
climbs into the hills, both parts house monkeys that
are keen on eating almost anything in sight!
Balinese women sell fruit to tourists and it seems
that grapes are their favorite.
Gondol - 50 km west of Singaraja. A Government-run
fish breeding project. Turtles, shrimp & prawns are
included in the program.
Banjar Tegah Hot springs - 18km west of Singaraja.
These slightly sulphuric hot springs are well worth
visiting. Set slightly back in the hills, dragon
fountains fume hot water into the tiered bathing
pools. A number of souvenir shops and a restaurant
cater to tourists. A number of local visitors and
schools visit at weekends and holidays.
Banjar Tegah Buddhist Monastery - Bali's largest
Buddhist monastery set in beautiful valley scenery.
Temukus War Monument - 15 km from Singaraja. Built
by the Dutch and destroyed by the Balinese during
the Independence struggle. It was rebuilt by the
local Government in 1992. The monument affords an
extraordinary view of Lovina and the coastline.
Sing Sing Waterfall - 13 km west of Singaraja.
Gushing falls in the wet season the water may no run
as swiftly in the dry season. The falls are well
signposted.
Lovina - 10 km west of Singaraja. Buleleng's main
tourist area. Black sand beaches fringed with palm
trees open onto a calm sea where travelers can view
dolphins, snorkel, dive, sail, fish and swim. A
resort area with a full range of accommodation.
Singaraja - Buleleng's capital, see start of
Buleleng Province for more info.
Banyuning - 1 km east of Singaraja. A village known
for pottery and ceramics.
Beratan - 1 km south of Singaraja. Famous for gold
and silver works of a unique style.
Sangsit - 8 km east of Singaraja. Pura Dalem (the
temple of the ancestors) is famous for its unique
and amusing stone carvings and Pura Beji, a temple
dedicated to the Goddess of Rice, is also a
recipient for these extraordinary carvings.
Gitgit Waterfall - 11 km south of Singaraja. An
impressive waterfall cascades into a small lagoon in
a plantation of coffee and clove trees.
Kubutambahan - 12 km east of Singaraja. The Maduwe
Karang Temple is renowned for carvings of a very
imaginative nature. One such carving is that of a
Dutch colonialist riding around on a bicycle whose
tires are made entirely of petals!
Jagaraga - 13 km south east of Singaraja. Another
northern temple that has amusing carvings, some of
the carvings depict the Dutch colonialists getting
drunk, an armed robbery and a wartime dogfight
between aero planes.
Sawan - 16 km south east of Singaraja - The
villagers are traditional makers of gamelan gongs
and other gamelan instruments. The Batu Bolong
temple is quite distinct looking.
Air Sanih - 18 km east of Singaraja. A cool natural
spring-fed pool borders the beach.
Pancasari - 24 km south of Singaraja. A mountain
village known for the golf course, Bali Handara
Kosaido Country Club and two of Bali's lakes, Buyan
and Tamblingan.
Ponjok Batu - 25 km east of Singaraja. The Ponjok
Batu Temple (ponjok batu meaning pile of stones)
perches on a rocky cliff next to a beach. A fresh
water spring bubbles forth right on the beach.
Julah - 29 km east of Singaraja. It is said that
this is the oldest village in North Bali.
Sembiran - 30 km south east of Singaraja. Probably a
megalithic village, the culture, dialect and rituals
are quite different from the rest of Bali.
Munduk - South west of Singaraja - Bali's ecological
village. This scenic village, located in the
mountains, is an ideal place to stay and escape from
the heat. Foggy afternoons, fields of blue
hydrangeas and numerous waterfalls make it an ideal
place to go hiking.
Capital - Gianyar
Important phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries -108
Gianyar Tourist Office Tlp: 93401
(Address - Jl. Ngurah Rai 21, Gianyar.)
History :
Gianyar Town - District capital of Gianyar Regency -
Located in the south eastern part of the regency,
Gianyar is well known for it's roasted babi guling
(suckling pig). It is a large town that holds little
of interest for the tourist. The temple of Pura
Dalem just north of the town has fine examples of
stone carvings and you may wish to visit some of the
small weaving industries.
Batubulan - Stone carvings line the road, many are
made on the premises however a few are also carved
elsewhere. Many types of Balinese dances including
trance dances are performed here for tourists.
Blahbatuh - Gaduh Temple houses the ancient,
folkloric, stone head of Kebo Iwa, a Balinese hero
of the Majapahit era.
Bedulu - This village houses the Museum of
Archaeology, which exhibits pre-Hindu artifacts,
stone carvings and old Chinese porcelain and the
Samuan Tiga Temple, which stages an eleven day
ceremony during the 10th full moon according to the
Balinese Calendar.
Bona - a village dedicated to producing bamboo
products. Said to be where the Kecak dance
originated.
Celuk - This village specializes in gold and silver
works, producing all kinds of jewellery and
ornaments.
Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) - An 11th century Buddhist
meditations cave with a statue of Ganesh in the
interior and other elaborate carvings.
Gunung Kawi - A candi complex dating from the 11th
century, in which the candis have been carved
directly out of the rock. The surrounding area is
very picturesque. Not as dramatic as the other
nearby candis and caves are Garba Cave and Candi
Krobokan, two 12th century monuments, worth visiting
if just to get off the beaten track.
Mas - A village renowned for producing Bali's sacred
masks.
Pejeng - Home to the temple of Penataran Sasih or
Temple of the Moon. It contains the famous bronze
Moon Drum, said to be over 2000 years old. It is the
largest, single cast, bronze drum in the world. Good
examples of 13th and 14th century stone carvings can
be found at the nearby Pusering Jagat and Kebo Edan
temples.
Sukawati - A market town selling all of Bali's
souvenirs in one location. It is also a market for
the local Balinese looking to buy ceremonial
articles.
Tegallalang - Shops abound on either side of the
road. Slightly north rice terraces abound and, at
nearby Petulu, see white Herons return to nest as
the sun goes down.
Tirta Empul - Since the 10th century Tirta Empul has
been one of Bali's holiest places. Balinese come to
bathe in the ancient pools as the waters are said to
have curative powers.
Ubud - Now the cultural and artistic centre of Bali
and a blossoming tourist destination. Bali's four
art museums namely, ARMA, Neka, Puri Lukisan and
Rudana are all located here. The surrounding hamlets
are all worth visiting. Ubud has many traditional
dance and music performances and a number of
workshops and courses are available. Accommodation
ranging from five star luxury boutique hotels right
through to guesthouses abound.
Yeh Pulu - Close to the Elephant Cave are some 14th
century bathing pools with interesting carvings. |
