Gianyar
The Gianyar regency was home to Bali’s oldest kingdoms, the Buddhist Warmadewa dynasty in Bedulu - Pejeng that ruled until the 14th century, and another center in Batuan. The conquering Javanese set up court in Samprangan, which later moved east to Gelgel and Klungkung. The area faded in history until the 18th century when the Klungkung family founded Sukawati, a short-lived dynasty that fell with the rising Gianyar kingdom. Rivals from Sukawati set up courts in Ketewel, Singapadu, Negara, Peliatan, Ubud, and Tegallalang which led to decades of warfare. A powerful Gelgel family in Blahbatuh rose during the 19th century. Dutch assistance Balinese courts in the early 1900s. Gianyar has everything from stone carving and daily Barong-Rangda trance dances in Batubulan, jewelry in Celuk, and a uge art market in Sukawati for the best range of souvenirs including locally made fans and puppets. Batuan produces fine paintings and masks; its temple festivals feature rare dances. Mas, Kemenuh, Tengkulak, and Pujung are woodcarving villages, and the Ubud - Pelitan tourist resort area is famous for paintings and galleries. Gianyar town produces colorful woven cloth. Blahbatu has a foundry where musical instruments are made. Performances of trance and monkey-chant dances are held in nearby Bona, home to palm leaf crafts and bamboo furniture. The Budulu-Pejeng area has Bali’s oldest temples, including the Goa Gajah elephant cave, carved relief at Yeh Pulu, the huge Samuan Tiga complex, fantastic statues at Kebo Edan and Pusering Jagat, and the famous bronze moon - gong at Panataran Sasih. The carved temples of Gunung Kawi and the sacred spring of Tirtha Empul are in Tampaksiring, home to bone and coconut-shell carving. Natural beauty abounds with a huge waterfall at Tegenungan and spectacular terraced rice fields at Tegalialang. The Ayung river offers ratting, and thousand of herons return every sunset at Petulu.