TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Gold and Silver
The center for gold in Bali is a small area in Denpasar where items of jewelry are sold by weight and prices following the current prices of gold.

Celuk is the silverware center Intricately worked items - anything from rings to tableware - are a specialty, the smaller pieces virtually solid silver, the larger ones silver-plated. However, the difference here lies in the fact that these shops cater primarily to rich Balinese rather than to visitors.

Handicraft - Wood-carving
Balinese woodcarving is renowned because a natural local aptitude has allowed itself to be influenced by sophisticated Western styles and the resulting hybrid artifacts consequently differ from anything found anywhere else.

Based on mass production, these carvings are made from local soft wood and are cheap. Hard wood carvings are generally produced using imported wood as Bali's climate does not give rise to classic equatorial rain forests.

Bali has numerous places centre of arts. One of them is Celuk Village. The village of Celuk (Gianyar - Around 30 minutes from Kuta), is the center for silver and gold. Celuk has become one of the famous place of the artistic scene in Bali. Along the road between Batubulan and Celuk there are hundreds of shops selling silver and gold, but these days they are also selling textiles and handicrafts. Almost all the shops in Celuk offers similar pricing for their gold and silver works. Price is very important in buying gold and silver artworks.

Bedugul (Tabanan)
In the center highlands of Bali in the serene mountain area of Bedugul. Here, vegetables, fruits, and flowers thrive in the alpine climate, and a colorful little market at Bukit Mungsu offers a wide selection of produce including exotic wild orchids, roses, and colorful birds. There is a large botanical garden nearby. At Pancasari, an 18-hole championship golf course has been developed, with all the facilities to suit golfing lovers. At lake Beratan, the area's climate is refreshing after being in the heat of the lowlands. Bratan Lake, approximately 60 kilometers from Denpasar (to the north), also provides exciting surroundings, with cool fresh mountain air.

Batur Kintamani (Bangli)
In 1926, during the violent eruption of Mt. Batur, the original village of Batur, at the southern foot of the mountain, was totally destroyed. The villagers, unharmed but homeless, moved up onto the high ridge overlooking their original home, and began the task of rebuilding their temple, Pura Ulun Danu. Work on this temple is still underway, and they are creating one of the most impressive temples on the island.

TEMPLES . . . . . .
While in Bali, you may choose to visit one the large number of temples, with ancient Hindu symbols carved in huge slabs of stone.
Or you may be lucky enough to have the opportunity to observe a temple festival or public cremation. You will, most likely, want to see at least one of Bali's famous dances. Do not forget to visit the Bali Art Festival in first week of June (for 1 month).

Tanah Lot Temple - Located at Southwest of Bali, Tabanan Regency.

Built on a large rock, cut off from the mainland at high tide, this is one of Bali's most spectacular sunset sight.
On the east coast is the sea temple of Tanah Lot. Just "twenty" kilometers to the west of Denpasar this one of Bali's most important temples. Built by one of the last priests to come to Bali from lava in the 16th century, Tanah lot serves to pay homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. It is located on top of a huge rock surrounded on all sides by the sea and is truly spectacular at sunset. Poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.

Uluwatu Temple - Located at South of Bali on Bukit Badung Regency.

Pura Uluwatu or Uluwatu Temple is a very unique cliff top temple with altitude around 300 meters from the ocean below and with only around 15 - 20 meters wide. This temple is dedicated to the spirits of the sea. It has spectacular views and also very popular for sunset sight.

Best time to go to this temple is around 5.00pm - 7.00pm where you can see sunset and see a kecak dance close to the temple site.

There are monkeys in this area which believes by Balinese as the holy monkey of the Uluwatu temple.

Pura Besakih - Located in Besakih (Northeast of Bali), Karangasem Regency.

This is Bali's most important temple. Well known the mother of temples in Bali. Pura Besakih offers great views of Mt. Agung (the highest mountain in Bali). The temple complex houses over 80 shrines to the various gods and spirits. High on the slopes of Mount Agung, is the Balinese centre of the universe - home to the biggest and holiest temple in Bali, the 'Mother Temple", the sanctuary of Besakih. Over a thousand years old, it is not a single temple, but rather a sprawling complex of over twenty temples, shrines and compounds. Mount Agung, at 3,124 meters, is also Bali's highest mountain, and the central focus of divine power in the Balinese cosmos. The largest annual festival is the 'Bhatara Turun Kabeh', falling on the night of the full moon in the tenth lunar month in March or April. This is when the gods of all the temples on Bali gather in the main shrine at Besakih, and tens of thousands of people from all over the island come to worship.