A trip to Bali can be filled with culture, nature, art, the spiritual or, even better, all of these. Apart from the spectacular beaches of Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Seminyak, or Ubud’s cultural heart and picturesque terraced rice fields, the northeastern coastal towns and Lombok Island are hidden gems awaiting discovery.
The west coast of Bali is still off the beaten path, with tapering ranges of mountains covered in lush forests, wet rice fields and bountiful vegetation. Historical sites and buildings that stand the tests of time, and a range of museums and art galleries all offer a different glimpse of Bali for the curious traveller. Honeymoons are also spiced up in Bali.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BALI
BALI MUST-SEE ATTRACTION
- BESAKIH TEMPLE
Besakih Temple has been known as Bali’s ‘Mother Temple’ for over 1,000 years and is perched 1,000 metres high on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung. Besakih is an artistic and unique complex that consists of at least 86 temples which include the main Pura Penataran Agung (the Great Temple of State), as well as 18 others.
Besakih is the biggest and holiest amongst the temples on the island and is surrounded by breathtaking and scenic rice paddies, hills, mountains, streams, and much more. It is said to be where the very first revelation from Balinese Hindu’s God, Hyang Rsi Markendya, was received.
- TANAH LOT TEMPLE
Tanah Lot (Pura Tanah Lot), one of seven temples along the Balinese coast, is perched atop a gigantic chunk of rock jutting out into the sea that is only accessible during low tides. It is one of the temples that used to be starting points for Hindu priests to conduct their missionary activities and holds an important position as a place of worship dedicated to sea deities.
Sunset at Tanah Lot has become one of Bali's major tourist attractions and the area itself features other temples, great facilities, and cultural venues. The temple's anniversary is held every 210 days on the Balinese Pawukon calendar, which coincides around the Galungan and Kuningan day celebrations.
- ULUWATU TEMPLE
Uluwatu Temple, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of six key temples believed to be Bali's spiritual pillars, is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above sea level. This temple also shares the splendid sunset backdrops as that of Tanah Lot Temple, another important sea temple located in the island's western shores.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is definitely one of the top places on the island to go to for sunset delights, with direct views overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean and daily Kecak dance performances. Balinese architecture, traditionally-designed gateways, and ancient sculptures add to Uluwatu Temple's appeal.
- TEGALALANG RICE TERRACE
Ubud is famous for its beautiful scenes of rice paddies involving subak (the traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system) which, according to history, was taught by a revered holy man from India named Rsi Markandeya in the eighth century. The most splendid terraced landscapes in Ubud's shared region are in Pejeng, Campuhan and Tegallalang.
Tegallang alone has an outlook that spreads down before you and away to the rice terraces on the slopes across the valley. The high roadside location is cool and breezy and it is a well-known spot for tourists to stop and take photos. Painters and nature lovers also enjoy visiting this spot.
- MOUNT BATUR
Mount Batur, also known as Kintamani volcano, has been the most favorite tourist destination in the central mountains area of Bali. With the magnificent view of its caldera, and also the beauty of Lake Batur which fills the large part of the caldera, the crater of Mount Batur is the central interest of the place which is estimated to have 13 square km size.
The view is the main reason to come here. Surrounded by the captivating nature of Mount Batur, you will find plenty more reasons to linger in the crater itself, and be sure to also take in the joyous winding road along the lake shore to Toya Bungkah, Pura Ulan Danu Batur, or even the hot springs.
Kintamani area actually consists of 3 main villages including Penelokan, Batur, and Kintamani. There are also some ancient villages around Batur Lake which is often known as Bali Age Village. Penelokan is the vantage point at the southernmost of the crater rim. You will be greeted by a fantastic spectacle as you come over the ridge at Penelokan and gaze down in wonder at the twin caldera of Lake Batur.
- GARUDA WISNU KENCANA STATUE
Garuda Wisnu Kencana, or GWK for short, is the name of a cultural park on Bali’s hilly southern coast famous for the ongoing construction of a gigantic statue of Vishnu riding on the back of a ‘garuda’ (a supernatural eagle-like being). The completed part of the statue is of the upper part of Vishnu’s body, the head of the ‘garuda’ and Vishnu’s hands.
The cultural park has become one of the favourite places in Bali for art and cultural performances, exhibitions, and conferences. GWK, once completed at 145 metres, will be one of the world’s tallest statues and erected on the top of the hill, with a magnificent panorama of Bali.
- BALI SAFARI AND MARINE PARK
Bali Safari & Marine Park offers a fun day out, and serves as one of the island’s largest and most visited animal theme parks which opened its gates in 2007. The Bali Safari & Marine Park was established by Taman Safari Indonesia; covering 40 hectares of land in the Gianyar regency. It is home to over 60 species, all of which roam free in large enclosures that mimic their natural habitats.
Enjoy riding on a safari bus to visit the animals, watching fascinating elephant talent shows, get cuddly with baby orangutans, and view baby sharks at the aquarium. Families travelling with children will have a blast together at the adjacent water and amusement parks.
- ELEPHANT SAFARI PARK
Bali's majestic elephants can be found at the Bali Elephant Safari Park of Desa Taro, north of Ubud. This park, managed by Bali Adventurer Tours, offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the peaceful giants and also to go for a sightseeing expedition on the backs of these towering pachyderms.
Facilities include a full reception and information centre, a safari park lodge, a spa, a comprehensive museum, with a large collection of elephant memorabilia and the only mammoth skeleton in Southeast Asia.
- BALI BOTANIC GARDEN
The cool central uplands of Bali can be enjoyed at the Bali Botanical Garden in Bedugul. The whole environs of Bedugul have actually become known as a favourite cool highland recreational destination among locals.
Besides enjoying a vast collection of tropical plants and wildlife in their natural habitat, inside the botanical gardens visitors can also get their adrenaline rush and an eagle’s eye view at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park that includes six main circuits stretching from tree to tree, as well as nets, Tarzan swings, jumps, and bridges. Each run also features ‘Flying Fox’ zip-lines of up to 160 metres. Nearby are the water sports-filled lake of Buyan and Beratan, where you’ll find the iconic Ulun Danu Temple.
- KECAK DANCE
The captivating Tari Kecak dance, also called ‘the monkey chanting dance’, was created around 1930 and is now internationally recognised as one of Bali’s top-three signature dances (along with Barong and Legong).
It steals the spotlight and is unique in that it has no other musical background but the chanting of a male chorus intoning a “keh-chack” polyrhythmic sound during most of the performance. Kecak’s storyline is taken from the Ramayana Hindu epic and it’s on the entertainment schedule of almost every Balinese arts and culture venue.
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