Bali is an island and province of Indonesia.

The province includes the island of Bali and a

few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa
Ceningan. It is located at the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, between Java to
the west and Lombok to the east. Its capital, Denpasar, is located in the southern part of the
island.

With a population of 3,890,757 in the 2010 census, and 4,225,000 as of January 2014, the
island is home to most of Indonesia's Hindu minority. According to the 2010 Census, 83.5%
of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism, followed by 13.4% Muslim, Christianity
at 2.5%, and Buddhism 0.5%.

Bali is a popular tourist destination, which has seen a significant rise in tourists since the
1980s. It is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance,
sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. The Indonesian International Film
Festival is held every year in Bali.

Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot Temple is one of Bali’s most important landmarks, famed for its unique offshore
setting and sunset backdrops. An ancient Hindu shrine perched on top of an outcrop amidst
constantly crashing waves; Tanah Lot Temple is simply among Bali’s not-to-be-missed icons.

The onshore site is dotted with smaller shrines alongside visitors’ leisure facilities that
comprise restaurants, shops and a cultural park presenting regular dance performances. The
temple is located in the Beraban village of the Tabanan regency, an approximate 20km
northwest of Kuta, and is included on most tours to Bali’s western and central regions.

Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of six key temples believed to be Bali's
spiritual pillars, is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff
approximately 70 metres above sea level. This temple also shares the splendid sunset
backdrops as that of Tanah Lot Temple, another important sea temple located in the island's
western shores.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is definitely one of the top places on the island to go to for sunset
delights, with direct views overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean and daily Kecak dance
performances. Balinese architecture, traditionally-designed gateways, and ancient sculptures
add to Uluwatu Temple's appeal.

Without a doubt, what makes Uluwatu Temple spectacular is its cliff-top setting at the edge
of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. 'Ulu' means the ‘top’ or the ‘tip’
and 'watu' means a ‘stone’ or a ‘rock’ in Balinese. Several archaeological remains found here
prove the temple to be of megalithic origin, dating back to around the 10th century. There are
two entrances to Uluwatu Temple, from the south and the north.

A small forest lies at the front and hundreds of monkeys dwell here. They are believed to
guard the temple from bad influences. The serpentine pathway to the temple is fortified by
concrete walls on the cliff side. It takes about an hour to get from one end to another as there
are several fenced points along the way to stop. The views from the bottom of the water
surging up against rocks and the ocean horizon are remarkable.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud is famous for its beautiful scenes of rice paddies involving
the subak (traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system), which according to history,
was passed down by a revered holy man named Rsi Markandeya in the eighth century.
Tegallalang forms the three most splendid terraced landscapes in Ubud's shared region, with
the others being in the villages of Pejeng and Campuhan.

Tegallang alone has an outlook that spreads down before you and away to the rice terraces on
the slopes across the valley. The high roadside location is cool and breezy and it is a well-
known spot for tourists to stop and take photos. Painters and nature lovers also enjoy visiting
this spot, and there are numerous art kiosks and cafes near the ledge offering their ware.

Tegallalang rice terraces offer a perfect Bali photo opportunity with its dramatic views. The
vista sprawls down and away to the rice terraces on the slopes across the valley. A local
elder, a farmer who owns the land invites visitors to sample his green coconut drink, as well
as to purchase woven hats that he makes from coconut leaves as well as posing with visitors
for a small fee. This ancient valley has a timeless quality whether there are tourists there or
not.

The small village of Pakudui, a craftsman’s dominion located in Tegallalang, is a journey of

witnessing the splendour of local talent at its best. Here you will find an extraordinary variety
of ornamental woodwork and various carvings. The villagers here are avid Balinese
craftsmen and have taken up different forms of sculptures, either handed down through
generations or as a result of an ever-growing creative process using the most natural of all
media – wood.

Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, is one of
Ubud’s most popular attractions; a natural forest sanctuary that is home to a horde of grey
long-tailed macaques. The site is well preserved thanks to a community-based management
program. The forest is also conveniently positioned near Ubud Town Centre, and within easy
walking distance from guesthouses and resorts along the main roads of Jalan Hanoman and
the namesake Jalan Monkey Forest.

Besides watching playful monkeys in their natural habitat, swinging through canopies, lazing
along pathways or feeding on bananas, the site offers cool walks along paved pathways
through a leafy nutmeg forest. Beautiful ancient temples with guardian statues covered in
moss also feature throughout the forest. Those staying outside of Ubud and coming for a day
tour usually have the Ubud Monkey Forest as a must-visit, combined with sightseeing
highlights at the Ubud Royal Palace and shopping sprees through the expansive Ubud Art
Market, all only a 10-minute drive away.
Deep inside the forest lies the 14th century Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal. Another site of
interest is the Pura Prajapati, which is dedicated to village funerals. Most mossy relics and
statues are under dense foliage with little sunlight, giving these smaller sites their mysterious
and ancient feel. Banyan tree roots hanging over shadowy dragon staircases offer exotic
photo opportunities. You can also discover an ancient bathing temple, located northwest of
the main Ubud Monkey Forest grounds, known as Pura Beji, accessible down a flight of
stairs and next to a stream.

Ubud Monkey Forest has local guides and staff ready to assist you during your visit. The
Wenara Wana staff may also try in assisting you with retrieval of any ‘items’ stolen by
monkeys. Guides are also a great source of information about the cultural and historical
significance about the sites and temples within the sanctuary grounds. As with any holy site
in Bali, women during their periods aren’t allowed to enter any of the temple grounds.

Public admission is IDR 40,000 for adults and IDR 30,000 for kids.

Ubud Art Market

The Ubud Art Market, locally referred to as 'Pasar Seni Ubud' is located opposite the the Puri
Saren Royal Ubud Palace and is open daily. Here you can find beautiful silk scarves,
lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets or hats; statues, kites and many other hand-
crafted goods.

Most of the goods found at the Ubud Market are made in the neighbouring villages of
Pengosekan, Tegallalang, Payangan and Peliatan. The location of the Ubud Art Market which
is centred among the art producing villages, and being just opposite the royal palace which is
a centre point to Ubud itself, make it a strategic shopping place for Balinese handicrafts and
souvenirs.

The Ubud market also serves as a setting for the Hollywood movie Eat Pray Love

Bali Volcano
Bali volcano, also referred to as Kintamani volcano or Mount Batur as a whole, is a popular
sightseeing destination in Bali's central highlands. The magnificent views of the 13sqm Batur
caldera lake serves as the main attraction, surrounded by the captivating Mount Batur range.

You can find plenty more reasons to linger around the crater itself, while those with a
penchant for adventure can also take a winding road down along the lake shore to Toya
Bungkah, Ulun Danu Batur temple, and a collection of hot springs.

Penelokan serves as the best site to enjoy the panoramas, with its combination of dark lava slopes
and black molten rocks, lush green vegetation and the blue-green coloured lake. There are also
hotels and restaurants here at 1,500 metres above sea level.

Bali Safari
Bali Safari & Marine Park offers a fun day out, and serves as one of the island’s largest and
most visited animal theme parks which opened its gates in 2007. The Bali Safari & Marine
Park was established by Taman Safari Indonesia; covering 40 hectares of land in the Gianyar
regency. It is home to over 60 species, all of which roam free in large enclosures that mimic
their natural habitats.

Enjoy riding on a safari bus to visit the animals, watching fascinating elephant talent shows,
get cuddly with baby orangutans, and view baby sharks at the aquarium. Families travelling
with children will have a blast together at the adjacent water and amusement parks.

In Bali Safari & Marine Park collection are 80 species and around 400 specimens from three
regions - Indonesia, India and Africa, including spotted deers, Himalayan bears, nilgai, black
bucks, African hippos, zebras, camels, ostriches, baboons, blue wildebeests, and lions. The
most epic on display are the legendary Indian white tigers. Guests board safari buses to travel
through different areas of the park.

Bali Safari & Marine Park’s signature Safari Journey takes visitors through the manmade
habitats of Indonesia, India and Africa on modified safari trams, providing the opportunity to
see the wildlife collection living naturally all together in the open range regions and to take as
many photos as they like, all from the comfort and safety of the air-conditioned safari tram
with their very own personal guide.

Key exhibits in Bali Safari and Marine Park include Ranthambore, a replica of an ancient
Indian fort in the city of Rajasthan where majestic white tigers roam; Kampung Gajah
(Elephant Village), a sanctuary for retired working elephants; and the showcase of the
komodo dragons. There are also camel and elephant rides to experience as well as fun close-
up photo opportunities with some of the animals. Also, check out the various free live animal
shows as well as the new Bali Theatre onsite, with the currently-running magnificent Bali
Agung show.