Bali Travel Map

Denpasar is the youngest city in Bali, which is still only 15 years old since the day it was given official status as a self-governing municipality on the 27th of February 1992. The positioning as a self-governing municipality was a process after it was given the status of an administrative city. From a historical point of view. Denpasar, which was originally a part of Badung regency, has played an important part in the course of history, which leads to the present day. The war of the Puputan Badung which took place on the 20th of September in 1906, involved not only the family members of the palace, but also its many followers, representing the feeling of pride of the Balinese people in holding on their respect.

With an area of approximately 127.80 km2, the city of Denpasar has the most densely populated area in Bali. Denpasar, which started as the center of the kingdom of Badung, has now developed into a city of trade.

Continuing from the times when the area was still a part of the Badung regency, Denpasar has a major area for tourist accommodation facilities in Sanur which is lined with hotels, restaurants, and various facilities for visitors.

In order to guide its development in entering the third millenium, the city has proclaimed a slogan for Denpasar as a ‘Cultural City’. Some locations within the city, like Puputan Badung square, the Badung River, other areas, have been appropriately innovated to fulfill the norms of a cultural city. The ‘City Tour’ is a package, which was also created to support and sustain the quality of the locations mentioned above.

Karangasem has a rich variety of older customs found in villages that resisted Javanese influences after the 14th century. The royal family, related to Gelgel, became independent and in the early 1700s challenged Klungkung. Internal strife led to exile and formation of a rival house in Lombok, which returned to defeat its own family in Bali and the taking of Buleleng. This realm ended when the Dutch subdued Buleleng in the mid 1800s, and a Dutch-assisted rebellion in Lombok ousted the royal family in the late 1800s. By recognizing Dutch superiority, Karangasem remained intact when South Bali was conquered in the early 1900s. After Mount Agung erupted in 1963 the capital changed names to Amlapura. The Puri Agung Kanginan palace features blend of Balinese, Dutch and Chinese architecture. To the south are the ruins of the Taman Ujung pleasure palace; a more intact one is up north at Tirtagangga with swimming pools fed by cool springs and an excellent place to stay. Outside the town is the coastal tourist area of Candi Dasa, named after an old temple on the hillside; across the lagoon is a Gandhi meditation center. Snorkeling around a shipwreck is superb up north at Tulamben. Padangbai has the Silayukti sea-temple and the ferry to Lombok. Tenganan is the only place in Indonesia where double-ikat gringsing cloth is woven. Festivals here and in Dauh Tukad in June - July feature wooden ferris-wheels and ritual battles with thorny leaves. Nearby villages of Dauh Tukad, Bungaya, Asak, Timbrah, perasi, Bugbug, Jasi, Ababi, Seraya, Sengkidu, Ngis, Bebandem and Padangkerta have colorful rituals with ceremonial dance for women and men, trance battles, and spectacular offerings. Beautiful brocades are woven in Sidemen. Winding mountain roads through salak snakeskin fruit farms and terraced hills lead to Besakih, Bali’s most important temple complex. Visitors may only see the huge temple from the outside, but the view is gorgeous and the air refreshing. Mount Agung should be climbed by experienced hikers with a guide.

With Bali’s defeat in the 14th century, invading Javanese set up court in Samprangan and then at Gelgel in the 1500s. An internal revolt during the mid 1600s moved the capital to Klungkung. Strife over the next 2 centuries caused factions to set up rival courts throughout early 1900s as rulers of South Bali were subdued by the Dutch. Klungkung remained the last strong hold until 1908; a towering new monument commemorates the final battle. Most of the palace was destroyed except for the main gate and 2 pavilions Kerta Gosa is famous for its painted ceiling of punishments in hell, animal tales, and an earthquake chart; and the Bale Kambang has paintings of Buddhist lore, folktales and traditional astrology. Artist from Kamasan still paint in the puppet style; a school perpetuates this ancient art. A more recent craft turns to used artillery cases for metalwork. Near the coast is the old capital of Gelgel with the Pura Dasar temple. The beaches at Jumpai are important for purification rites. Across the water is Nusa Penida, former island of exile for Klungkung’s criminals and home to the great fanged - demon and the Dalem Peed temple, both associated with black magic. The island and neighbour Lembongan and Ceningan have caves to explore and excellent snorkeling; seaweed is also farmed in shallow coastal beds. Klungkung’s market is great for textiles from the mountain villages and those further east. North of town is the peaceful Taman sari temple, out west is Tiingan where musical instruments are made, and going east is a huge bridge spanning the wide Unda river. Colorful umbrellas made is Satria line the streets, and is nearby Paksabali village trance battles between deities occur. Off the main road, a huge sand and gravel quarry operates continuously with a blazing furnace. Along the coast is the fishing and salt-making village of Kusamba, where thousands of bats a huge phyton live in the cave temple of Goa Lawah.