INTRODUCTION TO BALI
BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
AREAS GUIDE
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Regencies in Bali
Bali is one of thousands of islands constituting the Indonesia Archipelagothat has long been renowned as an eminent tourist destination in South Pacific or even in the world. Many names have been given to this beautiful island like: “The Last Paradise on Earth”, “Morning of the world” and still so many other names.
The island covers an extent of 5,632.86skm, consisted of mountain range stretches from the West tip to the Eastern with Mt. Agung, considered as the holiest by the Balinese, as the highest peak. The volcanic range divides the island into two parts of plain, which are constantly cultivated with rice as the staple crop. About 70% of the whole extent is agricultural ground, while the other part of 22% consists of forest and only 8% uncultivated.
It is divided into 1 municipality and 8 regencies, refering to the previous Balinese Kingdoms; Denpasar Municipality, Badung, Gianyar
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Denpasar Municipality
Located next to Badung regency, the city is where the first Bali hotel (Natour Bali Hotel) is located. Other tourism spots include Museum Bali, Art Center Werdhi Budaya, Indonesia Art Institue, Denpasar traditional Market and Traditional pet market. |
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Badung Regency
On the souther part of Bali, covering famous Kuta and Canggu Beach (both good for surfing), Serangan Island, Nusa Dua, Sangeh and Taman Ayun monkey forest, Uluwatu temple and Jimbaran peninsula. |
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Gianyar Regency
It was home to Bali's oldest kingdom. The area now has become artists communities; Batuan which produce findpaintings and masks, Gianyar itself produces colorful woven cloth, Balhbatuh for musical instrument, Ubud central of cultural tourism, Mas and Celuk for its silversmithings. |
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Bangli Regency
The cool, mountainous regency of Bangli was long fought over by rulers from neighboring kingdoms, for here lies Lake Batur, the major source of irrigation water for most of South and East Bali and part of the north. |
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Tabanan Regency
Tabanan is a tidy town with Museum Subak devoted to rice cultivation, and the Gedong Marya Theatre honors the famous dance Mario. North of the town is a memorial in Marga, commemorates the slaughter of Balinese resistance fighters against the Dutch in 1946. |
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Klungkung Regency
Klungkung remained the last stronghold 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 which is famous for its painted ceiling of punishments in hell, animal tales, and an earthquake chart, Bale Kambang has paintings of Buddhist lore, folk-tales, and traditional astrology. Artists from Kamasan still paint in this puppet-style, a school perpetuates this ancient art. |
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Karangasem Regency
Karangasem has a rich variety of older customs found in villages that resisted Javanese influences after 14th century. The royal family, related to Gelgel, became independent and in the early 1700s challenged Klungkung. Internal strive led to exile and formation of a rival house in Lombok, which returned to defeat its own family on Bali and the taking of Buleleng. |
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Buleleng Regency
Most of the north coast falls under the regency of Buleleng, once Bali's chief port. This long contact with outside influences is reflected in the ethnic diversity of its population and as a starting place for new artistic developments which spread south. The ruling house came to power in the 17th century and conquered parts of Karamasem. |
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Jembrana Regency
Some of Bali's oldest remains of prehistoric humans have been found in the Jembrana regency. Legend tells that sparsely populated West Bali got that way because its early inhabitants were cursed into invisibility for having violated the daughter of a powerful priest. |
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