Ubud : Center of Balinese Traditional Culture

A tour to Bali remains incomplete without visiting Ubud. Ubud can be described as a magical, wonderful, and cultural heart in Bali. Far removed from the drunken bikini scene in Kuta. The area is sometimes referred to as the craft villages of Bali, though the area is a bit more built-up and congested than one might infer from the term - village.

This traditional country town, Ubud, is almost infested with artists' workshops and galleries. There are hundreds of shops selling antiques, woodcarvings, crafts, textiles, paintings and jewelry as well as some of the best art museums in the country, dozens of art studios, an excellent local craft market, and galleries selling local and international art. mostly retailing cheap reproductions for tourists. The road to Ubud from the south passes a series of small towns which specialize in the production of particular arts and crafts, including Batubulan (stone carving), Celuk (jewelry), Batuan (painting), and Mas (wood carving). Most of Bali's museums and galleries are centered in Ubud. These museums and galleries offer paintings, woodcarvings, textiles and all kinds of souvenirs for viewing and also purchase. Undoubtedly, the spots like Museum Puri Lukisan in centre of Ubud, Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women and Agung Rai Museum in Pengosekan, Neka Museum in Campuhan, Goa Gajah, Gunung Kawi, and Tirta Empul are a great pleasure to the travelers in Ubud, Bali.

In additional of these museum and arts galleries that interest the visitors, there are plenty of sightseeing places in Ubud. The scenic beauty of Ubud is absolutely breathtaking. And of course the beautiful view of terraced rice fields. Travellers can take a long walk across the woods to explore nature in its myriad forms. There are also many rivers around Ubud. So water sports freak can easily go kayaking down the rivers. Visitors can avail any of the guided tours meant for Sightseeing in Ubud. Bird watching can also be a lot of fun in Ubud as Ubud is home to hundreds of different species of birds. Visitors can also try elephant riding and explore the different parts of Ubud including a calm and quiet village life that attracts people.

Gua Gajah (The Elephant Cave) is a popular excursion destination only about 3 kms away from Ubud, Bali. This is a cave, with a mouth that resembles a demon's mouth. Inside the cave, there are statues of the ‘lingam’ and ‘yoni’ (phallus and vagina) statues, as also a statue of Lord Ganesha. Statues stand guard around pools near the entrance and a little path leads to a waterfall, rice fields and some Buddhist stupa fragments.

Gunung Kawi (The Poet Mountain) is presumed to be the burial complex of King Anak Wungsu and his many wives, and is about 18 km northeast from Ubud. Reached by climbing down 371 steps, the location at the bottom of a steep valley lined with paddy fields is stunning. The smaller complex on the south side of the river is presumed to be for the king's wives, while the larger complex is thought to be for the King himself.

Monkey Sanctuary in Ubud, is a natural forest full of ravenous monkeys. Deep inside the forest, is Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal (A Temple of the Dead) which is another attraction in Ubud.

Tirta Empul, 20 km northeast from Ubud, Bali, is considered to be one of the holiest temples on Bali, and is surrounded by hot springs that are considered to have miraculous powers. Balinese themselves come here to bathe and purify themselves physically and spiritually, and during Galungan the sacred barong masks are bathed here.

Ubud's role as the epicenter of Balinese culture makes it the perfect place to see traditional Balinese dance and drama. Balinese Hinduism, cremation ceremony, or celebration of some kind remains stronger in Ubud than elsewhere in Bali. Balinese Hinduism is distinct from that of India and has absorbed the animism of Bali's pre-Hindu ancestors, inspired by the extraordinary beauty of Bali's landscapes, such as rice fields, mountains, river gorges, villages and ancient temples.

Location of Destination
Ubud is located about 10 km northeast Denpasar, capital of Bali Island, Republic of Indonesia.

Route to Get Destination
By plane to Sukarno-Hata Airport (Jakarta). Then by domestic flight about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Sukarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Bali Island). Or by international direct flight to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Bali Island).
Then by car approximately 90 minutes from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Ubud.

Best Time to Visit
Anytime

Accommodation for Traveller
Spirit Hotel, Hotel Tjampuhan Spa, Amandari, The Viceroy Bali, Four Seasons Sayan, Anahata Villa & Spa Resort, Ubud Hanging Gardens, De Ubud Villas, Kupu Kupu Barong Villa and Tree Spa, The Ubud Village Resort, Nandini Bali Jungle Resort & Spa, Barong Resort and Spa, Sri Bungalows, Dewa Bungalows.

Others
There are a number of spas, and healing clinics, where the tired and stressed out traveler can have massages and treatments to soothe him.