Air Sanih
Tranquil beach with fresh spring pools and accommodations.
Alas Kedaton
A temple surrounded by monkey forest. Principal city of
Karangasem district with Raja's Palace.
Amed
Ten years ago Amed was just a quiet fishing village with
one losmen. It's still quiet - there's no phone line into
Amed yet - but being developed fast. Amed is north west
of Amlapura, and a couple of hours drive from Candi Dasa.
The drive is as rough as it is scenic, so once you get to
Amed it's a good idea to stay a few days. There's a collection
of beaches around this part of the coast, and they are all
good for snorkeling. Off the coast there's a shipwreck,
famous in diving circles, and boats can be hired to get
there.
This is a place to lounge on the shady beach with a good
book.
Bali Barat national park / West-Bali
national park
Nearly the whole western part of Bali is since 1983 the
Bali-Barat-Nationalpark; it is an area from about 76.000
ha. You can reach the park from a little village called
Terima or from Gilimanuk and Singaraja. The headquarter
of the parks control board is in Cecek [ about 4 km south
of Gilimanuk ]
There you have to pay a little parking fee. The park is
famous for white starling
[ Leucopsar Rothchildii ] and wild bull [ Boss Javanicus
] .
Bangli
The capital town of Bangli district with beautiful Kehen
Temple nearby.
Banjar
Hot spring bathing place with pool on the North coast.
Batubulan
Known for stone carving and Barong Dance performance.
Batukaru
Covered with virgin rainforests, Mt Batukaru dominates the
entire district of Tabanan. If you want to get off the beaten
track, drive up the southern slopes to the village of Jatiluwih,
where you can relax under the mossy shade of the Pura Luhur
temple. Along the way, you'll encounter towering trees,
bubbling hot springs, and fern laden grottos. Take a reliable
vehicle as the road can get tricky.
Bedugul
When the heat and humidity finally get to you, it's time
to get away to Bedugul, Bali's highland retreat, tucked
into the crater of an extinct volcano, 1400 meters above
sea level. The three lakes of the area provide the water
for the fields, rivers and springs on the plains below.
Lush pine forests make for clean air. The area is renowned
for its fruit and vegetables.
Bona
Located between the city of Gianyar and Blahbatuh, Bona
is where to purchase bamboo furniture at reasonable prices.
It is also famous for its dances, especially the fire dance,
which is staged for tourists.
Bukit Jambul
Marvelous scene of rice terraces.
Candi Dasa
Candi Dasa offers an escape from the hassles of the more
populated tourist areas, although sometimes it seems there
are more hotels, restaurants and losmen here than tourists.
Boats can be hired for day's snorkeling.
Canggu
Beach for surfers.
Celuk
Famous for the gold and silver smiths and the wood
carvers.
Delod Berawah
Peaceful beach on the west coast.
Denpasar
Denpasar was rebuilt in 1906 after the puputan massacre,
when the city's royal families committed suicide rather
than surrender to the invading Dutch army. It is now a city
of 400,000 inhabitants and more vehicles per capita than
Jakarta. Many first-time visitors to Bali make the mistake
of skipping Denpasar in their tour of the island. But in
fact there is much to do and see here. There's a leafy,
expansive art center, a museum, and a colorful and cheap
market in Jl. Sulawesi. There are also several department
stores.
Early mornings are recommended as the midday sun can be
draining.
Gianyar
The capital town of Gianyar district with old residence
of the former King of Gianyar.
Gilimanuk
Java ferry service.
Gitgit
Breathtaking waterfalls with natural beauty surroundings.
Goa Gajah
North of Mount Batur, overlooking the Petanu River, is Goa
Gajah, site of an intriguing archaeological mystery. The
man-made caves here date from the eight century and feature
Buddhist inscriptions and carvings, even though Buddhists
are known to never have lived in Bali. Above the entrance
to the cave is a giant head, with floppy ears, thought by
many to be an elephant, of which there is also no record
in Bali.
This is a special place, especially if you can avoid the
crowds.
Goa Lawah
The Shivaite temple was founded around one thousand years
ago. The cave is believed to lead all the way to Gunung
Agung, but there's a couple of serious deterrents. Firstly,
the cave is believed to be home to an enormous snake, Naga
Besuki. And secondly, the ceiling and the thousands of noisy,
long-nosed fruit bats. This is a very strange place, but
definitely worth a visit.
Gunung Kawi
Ancient memorial of the Balinese rulers, carved on a solid
rock with beautiful surroundings.
Jatiluwih
The most fantastic viewing spot for rice terrace.
Jimbaran
On the west side of the Bukit, Bali's southern peninsula,
lies the once sleepy fishing village of Jimbaran, now the
site of the Intercontinental, Four Season Resort and the
Ritz Carlton. Take a walk along the beach, and perhaps a
sunset drink at one of the big hotels, which welcome all
visitors. An offshore reef provides protection from the
wave action, providing excellent swimming waters.
Jimbaran is known for its spectacular sunsets.
Jungutbatu
White sandy beach for surfers and divers on Lembongan Island
with simple accommodation
Kamasan
Famous for typical traditional paintings, gold, silver and
brass works
Kebun Raya Bedugul
Known for the Botanical Garden with wide selections of plants,
fresh with mountain air.
Kerambitan
Royal Palace with spacious Gamelan Hall.
Kintamani
Kintamani is perched on the rim of a vast crater, overlooking
the crater lake and its bubbling hot springs.
Lake Batur is the largest in Bali, and provides water for
an underground network of streams and springs across the
southern slopes of the mountain. The evenings can get cool
but an overnight stay is well worth it,
to climb the mountain and watch the sunrise, or just to
take a midnight dip in one of the springs.
Kusamba
Fishermen village with salting grounds.
Kuta
Since the 18th century, Kuta has served as the entry point
for foreigners visiting southern Bali. In the 1830s Kuta
was a thriving slave market, attracting a wide variety of
international 'lowlife' and many would say that nothing
has changed. Since its rediscovery by hippies and surfers
in the 1960s, Kuta and Legian have expanded so rapidly that
the district is now one of the busiest tourist areas in
the world. Hundred of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops
provide for all tastes and budgets
Lake Batur
The caldera of this volcano is with about 10 x 14 km one
of the biggest in the world. In the center of the caldera
is the 1717m still active vulcano Gunung Batur.
Lovina Beach
West of Singaraja on Bali's northern coast is a beach resort
spread across four adjacent villages. Lovina is for those
who like still waters ( no surf ) and are not fussy about
the color of the beach.
You may even encounter some local dolphins.
Many cheap losmens are situated right on the beach. Visit
the Singsing waterfall.
Mas
Some 20 kilometers north of Denpasar lies the woodcarving
center of Mas, a village of high caste Brahmin families.
This village, which has a special place in Balinese history,
is home to many excellent woodcarving shops. Remember to
bargain
Medewi
Pleasant beach for surfing lovers.
Menjangan Island
Part of Bali Barat National Park with its underwater beauty
and flocks of protected deer.
Negara
Negara in West Bali is the capital of Jembrana district,
and the home of the famous water buffalo races, which run
between July and October.
Nusa Dua
The most recent of Bali's tourist centers, Nusa Dua - located
on the southern-most tip, is quite unlike anything else
in Bali. A government run dreamland of coconut palms, five-star
hotels and perfect beaches. A great place to relax and be
pampered, but this is a long way from Balinese village life.
Padangbai
Ferry to Lombok Island.
Pancasari
Known for the best golf course 'Bali Handara Country Club'.
Pejeng
Famous for Penataran Sasih Temple with a big bronze kettledrum
inside
Peliatan
Famous for its Legong and Kecak Dances and wood carvings.
Penelokan
The literal meaning is 'place for looking', the most fascinating
viewing spot overlooks the volcano and Lake Batur.]
Pulaki
Monkey temple with hot spring nearby on the North coast.
Pura Besakih [ Reichstempel
]
Located on the slopes of Gunung Agung, Bali's highest and
most significant volcano, the whole of southern Bali is
visible from this temple. Pura Besakih is not one single
temple, but rather a sprawling complex of shrines and compounds,
united through ancient rituals. Badly damaged when Gunung
Agung erupted in 1963,
the temple has now been fully restored. Remember to dress
appropriately.
Pura Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is a simply designed, but dramatically located
temple on the Tabanan coast. Built on a promontory only
accessible at low tide, this temple is, like Uluwatu, a
sad khayangan temple, one of the most important in Bali.
Take a sarong and dress accordingly. It is said that the
temple is guarded by poisonous snakes. Sunset is the best
time to visit, when the golden and red sky frames the temple
and the waves crash into the rocks.
Putung
Scenic point with marvelous panorama stretches to the valleys
while the sparkling sea is seen in the distance.
Rambut Siwi
Temple on the cliff known as the biggest in West Bali
Sangeh
Fifteen kilometers from Mengwi is the famous Monkey Forest
and the ancient Pura Bukit Sari Temple, surrounded by tall
nutmeg trees. But the area is ruled by monkeys and
they will try to snatch anything : spectacles, jewelry,
watches and handbags.
Go late in the day, after the tourist rush,
so you can appreciate the serenity of the place.
Sanur
Bali's first beach resort, Sanur is a place of remarkable
contrasts. Sanur is a modern and prosperous community, and
host to many high class hotels and restaurants. But it is
also famous for its sorcerers. When the Dutch invaded Bali
in 1906, it was in Sanur that they landed.
Sayan
Just west of Ubud, Sayan is little more than a ridge. Views
of a luscious ravine and manicured terraces have prompted
many foreigners to choose Sayan as a place to live.
Steps lead down to a river, which is clean enough to bathe
in
Selat and Iseh
This area was chosen as the home of artist Walter Spies,
who settled here in the 1930s. These are also some of the
most beautiful areas of Bali, with fertile soils and the
ever-present Gunung Agung
in the background.
It is also an area that suffered badly from the 1963 eruption
of Gunung Agung.
Semarapura / Klungkung
This town was once home to an illustrious dynasty, the remains
of which are evident at the Kerta Hall of Justice. Most
of Bali's royal families are descended from the Klungkung
dynasty, for it was here that the rulers of the Majapahit
empire fled in the 16th century as their Kingdom in Java
crumbled. Klungkung was the center of Bali's 'golden age'
when the Gelgel dynasty held power for over 300 years, and
the arts flourished. If you go to Klungkung,
check out the painted ceiling and the bale kambang [ floating
pavilions ]
at the Kerta Gosa courthouse. Also, nearby, the village
of Kamasan specialises in traditional paintings, the origin
of which can be traced back 500 years
Serangan Island
Known as Turtle Island, with diving area and Sakenan Temple
Sukawati
Art Market with wide selection of artwork and reasonable
prices
Suluban
Excellent beach for surfing
Tabanan
Tabanan's landscape ranges from volcanic mountains to terraced
rice plains. This is the rice bowl of Bali, with higher
yields of rice than anywhere else. Tabanan, with its deserted,
black sand beaches and tropical rainforests, is one of the
prettiest districts in Bali. Visit the 17th century royal
palace in Krambitan.
Tampaksiring
There's a number of treats in store in Tampaksiring. One
is that it is home to numerous woodcarvers, and their wares
are available in great quantities from roadside stalls.
Another is the presidential palace, an icon of modernist
architecture designed by the man [ Soekarno ] himself. From
an opportunely located verandah,
it is said, the president was able to spy on the maidens
bathing at dusk in the Tirta Empul temple below
Tenganan
A visit here is a trip back in time. This is one of the
homes of the Bali Aga [ original Balinese ], the first inhabitants
of Bali. The Tengananese believe they have been chosen to
honor the royal descendents with offerings, sacrifices and
rituals, and by administering the surrounding lands. Only
recently has this society opened itself up to outsiders,
although strict rules still apply, especially concerning
marriage to outsiders. Tenganan features wonderful fabrics,
one of which is the renowned gringsing double weave ikat
cloth.
Tirta Gangga
This is the site of a beautiful water palace, built by the
last king of Karangasem, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut, in 1947.
Much of it was destroyed by the 1963 eruption, but the famous
bathing pools remained intact. This is a place of great
peace, and an excellent stopover when you're touring east
Bali.
There's a losmen in the palace grounds, and a restaurant,
too.
Toya Bungkah
Known for hot spring bathing by the Lake of Batur
Trunyan
One of Lake Batur's villages, Trunyan is inaccessible except
by boat. At the lakeside you'll be met by a greeting party
of locals wanting money. The Trunyan people believe they
are Bali Aga, the original inhabitants of Bali. Cremation
is not practiced in Trunyan, the dead are simply placed
against a sacred tree by the lake,
which stops the decomposing body from smelling.
Tulamben
Just north of Amed, Tulamben is famous for the World War
II US cargo ship Liberty that lies wrecked just off the
coast of this small village. It's bow only a few meters
below the surface, the wreck lies 50 meters offshore. Its
coral encrusted bow and resident coral fish are visible
to snorkels, but the best parts are 20-30 meters down, and
only accessible with full diving regalia. There are several
places to stay in Tulamben.
For obvious reasons, it mainly attracts divers. The beaches
are pebbly, but the water is clear
Ubud
Ubud, with its arts is called the heart of Bali. Ubud is
the art and culture centre of the island Bali. Aroound 4
km south of Ubud is a small village called Mas where its
citizens are famous for their gifted handy crafts.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu temple is precariously located at the point of a
sheer cliff on the island's southern peninsula. It is one
of the oldest and most important temples in Bali, one of
the six original sad khayangan [ territorial ] temples on
the island. More recently Uluwatu has also become famous
for its challenging surf break
[ experienced surfers only ], and spectacular views from
the warungs [ restaurants ] perched on the cliff.
Yeh Pulu
Ancient relief on a rock wall.