The
Regency of Karangasem is one of the regencies in Bali, covering
an area of 839,54 sq, kilometers. Karangasem itself consist
of eight districts namely: Karangasem, Manggis, Rendang, Selat,
Sidemen, Bebandem, Abang and Kubu District.
Karangasem has an extraordinary variety of charming landscapes.
Low and high mountain ranges intermingle with upland plains,
tropical forests, terrace rice fields, beautiful beaches, culture
and historical remains, traditional "Bali Aga" village
their way of life make Karangasem is worth visiting.
In fact it is too easy to reach all of the interesting places
in Karangasem. Supported by fairly good road condition accommodation
and other facilities such as hotels, restaurants, moneychangers,
souvenir shops and others, which you expect in tourist environment.
In order to make your trips more effective in exploring the
tourism objects, we suggest you to choose one of the routes
below;
1. Klungkung (Semarapura) - Bukit Jambul - Besakih - Telaga
Waja - Iseh - Putung - Sibetan - Tirtagangga - Tulamben - Jemeluk
- Taman Ujung - "Water Palace" - Amlapura - Puri Agung
Palace - Candidasa- Tenganan - Padang Bai - Yeh Malet - Klungkung
(Semarapura).
2. Klungkung (Semarapura) - Yeh Malet - Padang Bai - Tenganan
- Candidasa - Amlapura - Puri Agung Palace - Jemeluk - Tulamben
- Tirtagangga - Sibetan - Putung - Iseh - Telaga Waja - Besakih
- Bukit Jambul - Klungkung (Semarapura).
History
Karangasem has a rich variety of older customs found in villages
that resisted Javanese influences after the 14th century. The
royal family, related to Gelgel, became independent and in the
early 1700s challenged Klungkung. Internal strife led to exile
and the formation of a rival house in Lombok, which returned
to defeat its own family on Bali and also took Buleleng. By
recognising Dutch superiority, Karangasem remained intact when
South Bali was conquered in the early 1900s. After Mount Agung
erupted in 1963 the capital changed names to Amlapura.
Palaces
With its history of rivalry among factions of its royal family,
its is hardly surprising that Karangasem harbours numerous
old palaces. The Puri Agung Kanginan palace features a blend
of Balinese, Dutch and Chinese architecture. In Karangasem’s
south are the ruins of the Taman Ujung pleasure palace, and
in the north the Tirta Gangga water palace, the most intact
of all, boasts a series of spring-fed pools which are welcomingly
clear and a treat to bathe in after a long drive. Traditional
arts The main point of interest for traditional arts in Karangasem
is Tenganan, a Bali Age (indigenous Balinese) village renowned
for its double-ikat gringsing cloth, and annual festivals
featuring wooden ferris wheels and ritual battles with thorny
leaves.
Temple-going
On the coast just north of Tenganan is Candi Dasa, a temple
after which the seaside resort is named. But the resort is
better known for its marine and night life than it temple,
and temple-goers are likely to pass it by on the way to Besakih,
Bali’s most important temple complex, which is located on
the slope of Mount Agung, its highest peak. Visitors are not
allowed to enter the interior of the huge temple, but the
view from the outside is gorgeous anyway, and the mountain
air refreshing. There is also the Silayukti sea temple at
Padangbai, from where the ferry leaves for Lombok.
Eco-tourism
In recent years, snorklers and divers have begun to tread
a steady path past Candi Dasa, north-east of Tirta Gangga
to Amed, a sleepy fishing village with a series of small beaches
nuzzled into rocky coves and several outcrops of colourful
coral reef. For divers, the shipwreck offshore Tulamben, nearby
Amed, has become renowned as one of Bali’s best sites. Karangasem
also welcomes keen mountain climbers to Mount Agung, Bali’s
highest peak. The climb takes between 5 - 8 hours, and must
be undertaken with a guide. The view from the summit makes
the
grand Besakih temple look like an anthill!.
Jemeluk
Jemeluk is located at Purwakerti Village, Abang District.
It provides a fabulous panorama with the view of mountain
and beaches, the calm of sea; stream also the wonder of under
water life makes Jemeluk suitable for diving and snorkeling.
A place of diving, snorkeling, swimming, an canoeing sports.
A favorite spot for tourists with an interest in water sports,
Jemeluk is a haven for scuba divers. Snorkeling, swimming
and boating are popular activities in this village, and the
reef is alive with tropical fish, coral and underwater vegetation..
Bukit Jambul
Located at Pesaban village, Rendang district, 8 km north of
Klungkung (Semarapura) climbs steeply into the hills. An harmonious
mixture of hills, rice fields, valley and sea view. The view
of terraced rice fields, backed by a valley and sparkling
blue ocean is most astonishing from the hilltop at Bukit Jambul.
The view of terraced rice fields, backed by a valley and sparkling
blue ocean is most astonishing from the hilltop at Bukit Jambul.
Sibetan Snake Skin Fruit Garden
Snake Skin Fruit Garden has a good for the tourist. Sibetan
in well known throughout Indonesia for its delicious salak-a
crisp, tart fruit encased in a rind that has the look and
feel of snakeskin. The winding road through Sibetan is lined
by densely-planted salak palms and trucks may be seen loading
them for market. These fruits are better near than anywhere
else in Indonesia- peel the scale skin and enjoy the thirst
- quenching pulp. Sibetan is the main producer of Salak Bali
(snake skin fruit). Sibetan village there free has become
famous not only in Indonesia but also all over the world.
Sibetan snake skin fruit garden is located at Dukuh Sub Village,
Sibetan Village, Karangasem Regency, about 83 km from Denpasar.
One thing which is attractive here is the method the local
people used to pick and carry the fruit. Even tourists sometimes
can take part in the activities as if the local people of
Sibetan village. Besides Salak Garden, there also beautiful
panorama and natural scenery. The terraced fields, the view
of foamy waves at the sea further beyond make Sibetan an interesting
place to visit .
Asak and Bungaya
Only a few kilometers from the main eastern town of Karangasem
are two small villages both belonging to the ancient Bali-Age
sect. Asak has an antique ‘gamelan’ orchestra with wooden
keys. Unique costumes and exotic flowered headdresses are
worn in the graceful group Rejang dances that feature at every
temple festival. Bungaya, with its neat geometrical compound
walls and arched entrances all following the traditional design,
is famed for its skilled stone carvers and intricate basketry
and woven work.
