Bangli
regency is the only regency in Bali without any coastlines.
However, this mountainous region has the most historic temples;
Kehen, Batur and Penulisan provide archeological remains linking
them to the era of King Udayana Warmadewa in the late 10th and
11th centuries. The lower land in the south part has fertile
plains and provides good rice growing terrain, decked with glossy
green – blue terraces, clumps of bamboo, and waving palms. Above
Bangli, the vegetation becomes dense, as the climate is cooler.
There are coffee groves, salak, and other tropical fruits. Further
north is Kintamani and Mt. Batur, an extraordinary double volcano,
where there is a huge outer rim that rises up 1,745 meters at
Penulisan.
History
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 parts of the north. The ruling house emerged during
the early year of the Klungkung kingdom during the 1700s, to
which it is related. In the mid-1800s Bangli sought Dutch protection
from Klungkung, Karangasem, and Buleleng, but by the end of
the 19th century it was joining its former enemies against the
powerful Mengwi to the west. Due to its early recognition of
the Dutch, Bangli was spared during the conquest of South Bali
in the early 1900s.
Pura Kehen, just north of the town of Bangli, is the second
largest temple in Bali, and a stirring example of the virtuosity
of the stone-carvers of the region. Founded in the 11th century
by Cri Brahma Kemuti Ketu. Pura Kehen has three courtyards,
each entered through a towering, carved gateway. Inside the
second courtyard is a venerable banyan (waringin) tree. This
temple is also renowned for the breath-taking, tall offerings
which decorate the inner courtyard at odalan festival times,
and during performances of the sacred "Rejang" dance.
Eco tourism
The major point of interest for visitors to Bangli is without
doubt the highland area around Kintamani, which is perched on
the lip of Mount Batur's crater and looks out over the spectacular
crater lake. The best view is from Penelokan, a little to the
west around the crater from Kintamani, and from where one can
see the cone of Mount Batur smoldering away and the black traces
of its explosion on the landscape of the crater. A rather treacherous
road leads from Penelokan down the crater to Toyah Bungkah,
where soothing hot springs on the edge of the crater lake have
recently been tapped off to create a magnificent spa complex.
Toyah Bungkah is a pleasant place to stay the night and prepare
for an early rise and the two-hour climb up Mount Batur, arriving
in time to see the sunrise.
Traditional arts
Across the lake from Toyah Bungkah is the Bali Age (indigenous
Balinese) village of Trunyan. Most visitors come to see the
cemetery where, in accordance with local tradition, the dead
are left exposed to the elements. Those who time their visit
right will be fortunate to witness on of Trunyan’s rarely
held festivals featuring wooden ferris wheels and masked dancers
who whip bystanders. In the city of Bangli itself, the Sasana
Budaya Art Centre hosts occasional art exhibitions and performances,
and Kintamani's Balai Art Centre has spacious gardens and
a library.
Temple-going
One of Bangli's most interesting temples is Pura Batur, in
Kintamani. This huge complex, perched on the rim of the crater
is devoted to the goddess of the lake below. And in Penulisan,
just north of Kintamani is Tegeh Koripan, an ancient and mysterious
temple often hidden by mists and reached by a long flight
of stairs.
Dusun Kuning Waterfall
A peace waterfall surrounded by green forest with cool weather.
On the Southern part about 6 kms from the town of Bangli at
Taman Bali village, one could find a waterfall. Since its
location is in Dusun Kuning therefore it is called Dusun Kuning
waterfall by name. This waterfall is located 25 meters high
above the water level of Melangit river which is flowing down
to the South. This site can be reached by any transports and
from this little village one have to walk on foot through
a 500 meter length of path surrounded by green clove Garden
both on the left and right side.
Batukaang Village
Batukaang village is located about 35 km from Kintamani. It
is known as a destination for visitors particularly interested
in culture.
Narmada Baliraja
In the village of Tamanbali you can visit the gardens which
are the remains of the kingdom that once ruled there. The
pool on the grounds was used for recreation by the king of
Tamanbali and the ancestral temple honors Maha Gotra Tirta
Harum Tamanbali. Narmada Baliraja gardens is situated about
5 km south of Bangli.
Puncaksari Temple
Located on the hill of Pulasari in Peninjoan Village, Pucaksari
Temple and its surrounding villages have a cool climate. The
temple provides a full view of a typical Balinese landscape
going all the way to the southern beaches of Bali. At down,
the sun rises behind mount Agung, amidst the tall, ancient
tress that grow by the temple. In the predawn glow, seen from
a far, a carpet of foliage which seem pristine an untouched.
From the hill's summit notice how the village compounds/scattered
in the valleys and hills complement the nature that surrounds
it, as if being a part of it all.
Panglipuran Heroes Monument
This monument was built in memory of the freedom fighters
in the regency of Bangli, commanded by Captain Anak Agung
Gde Muditha with 18 Troops. This nine-storied monument was
built in 1959, on an area of 1,5 hectare in Balinese style
and completed with parking area, a field for ceremony and
cura yudha building. This monument was built in Panglipuran
village because here in this village Captain Anak Agung Anom
Muditha was shot dead by the NICA (Dutch Troop) during the
revolution era.
Tegeh Kuripan Temple Area
A long steep flight of stairs rises through the eleven terraces
of the temple complex.
