Bangli Tourism Information Guides - Bangli Tourism Vacancy and Holiday Information

Bangli Tourism Information

2008-05-06T05:20:00.000-07:00

Mountainous Bangli, bali's only landlocked regency, compensates for its coastal deficit with some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. Shaped like a ragged keyhole, Bangli has endured a history of internecine warfare and occupation, and was one of the first kingdoms to fall to the Dutch Empire. Yet its people have survived these turbulent times and remote climes with a fiery temperament and ready humour. The administrative centre of the regency is Bangli town in the south, where cool, fresh air complements the manicured roadsides of this pretty hamlet. Apart from Bali's main psychiatric hospital, Bangli town is also home to the island's second largest temple, the beautiful 11th-century Pura Kehen.

From here the regency's main road climbs gently upwards through bamboo forests and dry upland terraces until, at 1,500 metres above sea level, the great maw of the Batur Caldera opens in front of you. Eleven kilometers in diameter and 183 metres deep, this enormous basin was carved out 30.000 years ago when Bali's larges volcano blew itself to pieces.

Dominating its center is Mt.Batur, a brooding, black ened cone that has erupted four times this century. Another quarter of the basin is filled by a beautiful crescent shaped lake, also named Batur. Six small villages out an existence within the walls of the caldera, peopled by a simple mountain folk known as Bali Aga ("original Balinese"). The most extraordinary of these settlements is Trunyan, a jumbled collection of cinder-block houses pressed against the eastern shore of the lake. Adhering to pre-Hindu practices, the residents of Trunyan choose not to cremate their dead but to lay them out in a nearby ravine, exposed to the embalming perfume of a sacred tree.

Across the lake, the village of Toya Bungkah, with its plethora of losmen, 'mountain guides and volcanic hotsprings, is the favoured tourist spot and a good base camp for hiking Mt. Batur.Back along the crater's rim are two important temples. Pura Ulun Danu Batur, a large and ornate sanctuary dedicated to the Goddess of the Lake, was originally located on the shores of Batur. In the 1920s it was moved to its current location near the market town of Kintamani after narrowly escaping destruction by lava flows. Further up at Penulisan, just before the road begins its long descent to the north shore, a steep flight of stairs leads to Pura Tegeh Koripan - at 1,745 metres the highest temple on Bali.

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Trunyan Village

2008-03-02T00:28:00.000-08:00

The village of Trunyan is squeezed tightly between the lake and the outer crater rim of Batur, an almighty volcano in Kintamani. This is a Bali Aga village, inhabited by descendants of the original Balinese, the people who predate the arrival of the Hindu Majapahit kingdom in the 16th century. It is famous for the Pura Pancering Jagat temple, but unfortunately visitors are not allowed inside. There are also a couple of traditional Bali Aga-style dwellings, and a large banyan tree, which is said to be more than 1,100 years old. At Kuban sub-village close to Trunyan is a mysterious cemetery that is separated by the lake and accessible only by boat - there is no path along the steep walls of the crater rim.

The village of Trunyan itself is situated at the edge of Batur Lake. This location is inaccessible except by boat, and it takes around half an hour across the calm waters. Getting to Lake Batur takes around two hours drive to the northeast of Denpasar along the main road to Buleleng and through Bangli Regency.

Unlike the Balinese people, the people of Trunyan do not cremate or bury their dead, but just lay them out in bamboo cages to decompose, although strangely there is no stench. A macabre collection of skulls and bones lies on the stone platform and the surrounding areas.

The dead bodies don't produce bad smells because of the perfumed scents from a huge Taru Menyan tree growing nearby. Taru means 'tree' and Menyan means 'nice smell'. The name of Terunyan was also derived from these two words.

The women from Trunyan are prohibited from going to the cemetery when a dead body is carried there. This follows the deeply rooted belief that if a woman comes to the cemetery while a corpse is being carried there, there will be a disaster in the village, for example a landslide or a volcanic eruption. Such events have been frequent in the village's history, but whether women had anything to do with it is a matter of opinion...

You can visit both the village of Trunyan and the Kuban cemetery by chartered boat from Kedisan. Sadly, nowadays the boat trips are now blatant tourist traps, as touts and guides strongly urge you to donate your cash to the temple project or leave a donation for the dead. These touts ruin an otherwise fascinating experience.
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Songan Sunrise

2008-03-01T01:20:00.000-08:00

Day One – Camping

Arrived Saturday afternoon at Natural Hot Spring (NHS), Toya Bungkah. It was warmly welcome by NHSâ€™s Manager. At the restaurant, they served us welcome drink and had discussion about â€œSongan Sunriseâ€� for tomorrow morning.

From restaurant we can enjoy a spectacular view of NHSâ€™s swimming pool, Lake Batur and Maunt Abang as backdrop. Actually it has two tier, view was much better from second tier.

In between swimming pool and Lake Baturâ€™s shores, there was allocated camping ground. Our tent had set up nicely. The imported tent has sleeping and front sections. They both separated by zip. Inside sleeping section you can adjust how much air circulation you need. The mattress and pillow were very comfortable to sleep.

Enjoy swimming and soaking in the natural hot spring until dark â€“ Locker is available to store your gear. Afterwards, join in barbecue of fresh lake fish Mujair. However, we have to go sleep earlier as tomorrow 4.30 clock start the trekking.

Day two â€“ Trekking and Sunrise

We drove to Pura Ulun Danu early morning and took about 20 minutes from Toya Bungkah. Park the car in the front of temple and there were no body except us and was so dark everywhere. We took all gears that we put in the car.

We walked further then Dadap Putih Hill was waiting for climbing. Another twenty minutes climb took us to the top of the ridge. Make sure your torch was working otherwise the trail is so dark. The altitude was about 1300 meters.

Once we reached there, there were two Warung sold drink and food. We brought sandwiches and hot water for coffee â€“ Meanwhile we were having breakfast then sun started glowing. Sunrise starts from 6.00 to 6.30. We were prepared to make a lot of shots. It was so beautiful when the first light of the day was streaking across the sky.

From about 1300 meters altitude, we looked over at the east side of Bali, the view was breathtaking. We could see Karangasam and Gunung Rinjani Lombok â€“ the sea was not clear enough. On the west side was the Lake and Mount Batur and many dots of villages such as Kedisan, Buahan, Abang, Toya Bungkah and west Songan.

Bukit Sari was next place before reaching Trunyan. We walked about 2 kilometers from Dadap Putih. Gunung Agung could be seen clearly, air is so fresh, bird singing, and vegetation is so green this all bring tranquility and serene.

From here the track took you up and along the steep backbone of the mountains to Batu Madeg, a village famous for its ancient historic stone menhir. During pre Hindu, villagers believe that standing stones were sacred and worshiped as their ancestors protected them â€“ it is closed to animism. Further on, visit ancient ruins known a Tapak Ksaki Patih Keboiwa. Climb down steep path to Trunyan, the village of the original Bali Aga people, through their gardens of cabbages, chillies, onion and tomatoes. There were various shape of stones, according to local there were shape of seat, Kukusan (rice steamer) and foot print of Keboiwa. We asked the local, they said these stone paths were there many years, the local use to go uphill and back to Trunyan Village.

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Puncak Penulisan Temple

2008-03-01T01:02:00.000-08:00

Bukit penulisan is situated at 1745 meters above sea level about 3 kms from Kintamani, or 30 kms from the capital town of Bangli regency, on the east side of the road leading to Denpasar or Singaraja.

Based on the old-Balinese manuscripts, it was told that Bukit Penulisan is also called Bukit Tunggal since its location is separated from the chain of mountains, stretching along from west to east, deviling Bali island into 2 parts ie the northern and southern Bali.

Around IX century on the peak of this Bukit Penulisan, the temple of Tegeh Koripan was constructed which is commonly called Pura Pucak Penulisan because its location is on the peak of Penulisan Hill.

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Kintamani

2008-02-28T23:18:00.000-08:00

Kintamani is the most favorite tourist destinations in Bali with the active volcano of mount Batur and beautiful lake. Kintamani is surrounded by the captivating nature and there are six ancient villages around cauldron of Batur Lake which is often conceived by Bali Age Village. The local people from these Bali Age villages own the unique cultures, houses and life style. Kintamani Area is consisted of some Villages those are Kedisan Village , Buahan, Abang, Trunyan, Songan, South Batur, Middle Batur, North Batur, Sukawana and Kintamani Village . The total of resident in these area are about 15 thousand who are mostly working as farmer, merchant, or work at industrial tourism.

Kintamani Volcano and Batur Lake
Mount Batur is located at Kintamani and it has erupted about 24 times since year 1800 and still active up to now. Since the mount erupting, it has impacted to the local society life around this mount, like removing altar (Temple), improve or repairing the village and re-arrange the tradition. Lake Batur is the biggest lake in Bali and functioning as irrigation source to all farmers around it and it is also for all Bali society generally. Kintamani area has been founded some lodging, hotels and restaurants which are located in Kintamani and Penelokan Village. It is a famous tourist place because Kintamani area owns the beautiful panorama and it is encircled by the cold atmosphere.

Kintamani is a Place to Visit in Bali
Kintamani is beautifully seen at the day time around 10:00 am until 15:00 pm especially having fine weather where entire Kintamani area will be able to be seen clearly. Generally, all tourists who pay a visit to this place will arrive in the day time where they can enjoy the panorama or enjoy the lunch in the local restaurant with lake view. Mostly restaurants at Kintamani generally own very beautiful view where tourist merging into their lunch in this restaurant and meanwhile enjoy the panorama.

Location
Kintamani is located in Kintamani sub district, Bangli Regency and about 50 km from Denpasar Town or about 2 hours by car. All roads are generally in good condition to access to this place. The fog will descend and blanket entire area of Kintamani with cold temperature in particular at late afternoon until the whole of night. The most amazing panorama at Kintamani can be seen in the morning time, when the sunrise emerges on the surface of earth precisely on the mount Batur .

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Penglipuran Village

2008-02-28T22:25:00.000-08:00

Penglipuran Village is a traditional countryside owning unique characteristic life, socializing and culture. It is located in Kubu Village , Bangli Sub district and Bangli Regency. The natural nature and environments of countryside is designating the pittance touch of modernization influence. This countryside is supported by cool atmosphere because it is located on the height land about 700 m above sea level and according to history of all old doyens that this countryside is taken away from the word Pengeling Pura what its meaning remember to ancestor, but there is also telling that the word of Penglipur mean the entertainer. It is said that at former empire era, all king often use this area as a place to amuse themselves, because its nature is beautiful and can give the peacefulness and inspiration at the time of experiencing a problem.

What to See at Penglipuran Village
The houses exist in this countryside from north to the south is look very beautiful in particular the Balinese traditional entrance gate which are made similar each other. When we step down to this village, we will meet the Balinese houses are oriented northeastwards to Mount Agung which is located in north-east of Bali Island . The structure of house building between one house and others are equal in particular to condition, form, size and function from the building except building of family bed room is freeform. The family temple building is places the same direction to the Agung Mount, kitchen is located in upstate from the lawn and the building of Bale Sakaenem is the six beamed building which its function for ceremony place. The place for look after the livestock and the place to plant assorted vegetable are referred as non irrigated dry field which is called Teba. Its Construction material is made from wood except family residence. It is predominated by substance from bamboo because around this countryside is bamboo producer.

Social Life System
The countryside is lead by a leader which is Bendesa or Kelian or Penyarikan or Patengan and he/she is assisted by Sinoman. The social system is recognized by the 12 group terms that are number 1 until 12 as member of Pemerincik that is commissioned member converse the problem or plan and its result is submitted to the member. They are very trusting of 12 groups and have represented the tradition in heritage away back. The Consanguinity System in this countryside is Patrilinial system that is according to father lineage. This countryside religion leader is called as Jero Bayan which is consisted of 3 Jero Bayans that is a Jero Bayan Mucuk and 2 people of Jero Bayan Nyoman. The specific cultural potential like pattern of building architecture remains to be traditional, the beautiful nature and environment with cool atmosphere, hence this countryside is the ideal place to visit during your vacation in Bali.
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Kehen Temple

2008-02-27T23:25:00.000-08:00

Kehen Temple, one of a few largest temples in Bali, is located at the south of Bangli in Cempaga village, about 43 km from Denpasar. It was built in the reign of Sri Bhatara Guru Adikunti Ketana in the 11th century in a terraced mountain sanctuary that was the site of an earlier temple that dates back to the 9th century. The word Kehen is derived from the word â€œKeren” means flame. Formerly, it was known as “Hyang Apiâ€� (God of Fire) temple. The people of Bangli believe that Kehen Temple is the largest and the most sacred temple of the region and regard it as the state temple of Bangli.

The anniversary (odalan) of this temple takes place every 210 days on Wednesday Kliwon Shinta (based of traditional pawukon calendar). Once in a three years period a Ngusaba ritual is held in this temple, which takes place on full moon (Purnama) of the fifth month of Balinese Caka calendar, around November. This sacred temple is built majestically on terraces on the southern slope of the hill under a big old banyan tree that shades the shrines and gates of its courtyards. The forest background of this temple offers a unique ambiance and mesmerizing scene.

A flight of 38 stairs will great and lead the visitor to meru-shaped gate between rows of villager statues carved in a shadow puppet style, gesturing a welcome to visitors. Overlooking the gate is the threatening head of Kala, the child Siwa, personification of evil that is entrusted to guard the temple and to catch harmful spirits and prevents them from entering the sacred space.

The Kehen Temple has an authentic Balinese temple structure. It has three terraced courtyards that are connected by steps, and their balustrades are decorated with carvings and statues, and each are entered through towering, carved gateways. In the first courtyard is a huge Banyan tree with kul-kul – a hollowed-out tree-trunk drum split gong suspended high up in this ancient and sacred tree.

This kul-kul is used to summon the faithful to prayer, and to announce special occasions. Walls inlaid with Chinese porcelain surround this banyan tree. In the next courtyard, there is a magnificent shrine with eleven tiered roofs (merus) dedicated to the god of fire; the resident temple god. On the right side of this inner courtyard are three throne shrines representing the Hindu Trinity, Brahma, Wisnu and Siwa.

Besides its mesmerizing panorama and majestic temple structure, Kehen Temple has a variety of ancient manuscripts. There is a bronze manuscript about the slaughter of a black bull during a feast held in the temple in the year 1204.

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