Bali Culture Balinese traditional philosophy and landmarks


NUSA DUA BEACH

The Nusa Dua tourist resort is part of the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali. Some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels are found here. The resort is known for its clean white beaches and clean waters.

The implementation of Balinese traditional philosophy and international health and environmental preservation standard makes Nusa Dua one of the very few modern resorts with traditional, cultural touches for leisure and business purposes. It is also a good place for water sport.

KUTA BEACH

Kuta area is an international village. The long white sandy beach, the big waves, many accommodations, close to the airport, night lives and all that make Kuta one of the most popular resorts in particular for the younger generations.

Kuta beach is recommended for sunset viewing. Batubulan: driving northeast from Denpasar, stone figures on the roadside mark the village of Batubulan.

Divinities and demands are carved from sandstone for ornaments of houses and temples. Workshops can be visited to watch artist at work.

BATUAN

An old and famous center of the arts, it is now known for its dancing, wood panel carving and paintings

CELUK

Northeast of Denpasar, the village of Celuk is noted for its silver and gold works of jewelry in many styles

MAS

The village of woodcarvers, many of Bali's old masters still live here. Art galleries exhibit some of their best works.

Visitors can wander through the Balinese style houses to view the carved wooden pillars and the artist at work or instructing apprentices who work in groups.

UBUD VILLAGE

The center of Balinese painting. There are also several art galleries and home of famous artist here and country side living.

Ubud has several hotel and home stay, located on a higher altitude with a pleasant climate and rice terrace field viewing.

GOA GAJAH

Goa Gajah, dates back to the 11th century and are believed to have been built as a monastery. Carving on the wall show a demon head over the entrance, flanked by two statues.

The cave contains a statue of Ganesha. Excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding waterspouts.

TAMPAKSIRING

The temple of Pura Tirta Empul is built around the sacred spring at Tampak Siring.
Over 1000 years old, the temple and its two bathing places have been used by the people for good health and prosperity because of the spring water's curative powers. Regular ceremonies are held for purification.

KINTAMANI VOLCANO

The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan give a view Mount Batur and Lake. The calderas of Batur is impressive; 7 miles in diameter and 60 feet deep.

From Penelokan, a road leads to Kedisan on the shores of the lake where boats can be hired to cross over to Trunyan.

TRUNYAN

This ancient village is inhabited by people who call themselves "Bali Aga" or original Balinese who have maintained many of their old ways.

The Puser Jagad Temple has an unusual architecture and stand under a massive Banyan tree.

BESAKIH TEMPLE

Known as the "Mother Temple of Bali" the sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Mt. Agung is the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples.

Over a thousand years old, steps ascend through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings.

Around the three main temples dedicated to the Trinity Shiva, Brahma and Wisnu, are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging different regencies and caste groups. To the Balinese, a visit to the temple sanctuaries is a special pilgrimage.

ALAS KEDATON

Well known as "Holy Forest" is a small forest measuring about 12 ha. In this forest is an old temple and to the southeast of the temple is a small field called the Monkey Cemetery.

There are hundreds of monkeys in this forest and high up on the big trees many bats are hanging and singing with their loud voices.

TANAH LOT TEMPLE

Caged out of the landscape by tides, wind and rain, the high off shore sentinel rock of Tanah Lot.

Supports a small picturesque sea temple which can be reached by a scramble over the wet rocks. Built by one of the last priest to come to Bali from Java in the 16th century, its ritual include the paying of home age to the guardian spirits of the sea.

The best time to see Tanah Lot Temple is in the late afternoon when the temple is in silhouette.

BEDUGUL

In the eastern high lands of Bali is the serene mountain area of Bedugul, where vegetable, fruits and flowers thrive in the alpine climate and a colorful little market at Candikuning.

Offers a wide selection of produce including exotic strawberries, here there are many hotels and restaurants and a botanical garden.

GITGIT WATERFALL

It is located in the village of Gitgit, 11 kilometers south of Singaraja.

Follow the toot path to the site of waterfall with of distance of 800 meters.

The coffee and clove plantation adds scenic beauty to this area.

LOVINA BEACH

A rest full tourist resort on the north coast and quite close to Singaraja. A beautiful beach backed by coconut groves.

Added attraction are the dolphins in their natural habitat, which can be watched early in the morning by fisherman boats rented.