Ubud is known for being a home for cultural arts where you will find plethora of artist communities enriching the place’s heritage and reputation. Many locals depend from art displays and trades as a source of living.
Ubud is also known for its rainforests, rivers and ravines. If you have had it enough with blue beaches and sands, perhaps the nature is calling you to take a different route and breathe the fresh air in the greeneries of Ubud.
1. Barong and Keris Dance
Balinese mythology is often illustrated through dance and Barong and Keris dance is one of them. This is a classic mythical story about good against evil which provides a fascinating insight into the local culture. Good is personified by the Barong Keket, the holiest form of all Barong, representing good spirit which protects all villages and forests in Bali. The character appears to be a fusion between a shaggy dog and a lion which usually animated by two men. While evil is represented by Rangda, a witch who was condemned for practicing black magic.
Ultimately, the two characters engage in a battle, at which point the Barong’s Kris knife-bearing followers rush in to attack Rangda. The witch, however, uses her immense magical powers to turn the Keris knives in upon their owners, who then fall into the state of trance and start stabbing themselves. Barong then casts a spell to shield his followers from the blow. In the end, Barong triumphs and Rangda retreats to recuperate her strength for the next encounter in a never-ending battle between good and evil.
2. Celuk Village
Celuk Village is small community in the southern Ubud area known for it’s silverware industry. There are plenty of galleries to visit where you can directly observe the process of making the silvers and golds at the hands of the local artists.
3. Batuan Village
Batuan village is famous for its traditional painting art, although recently they have developed into Balinese dance art centre as well. You will see a lot of painting being sold on the street as we step into the village. However, if you are curious about how far the painting quality can go, take the chance to visit their official gallery.
4. Batuan Temple
The Batuan Temple is considered to be the oldest Puseh temple in the island – a place to worship Lord Vishnu the Caretaker in the Three Nirvanas concept taught to the Balinese nearly a millennium ago. Its archaic ornaments, especially on the entrance gate and the meeting hall; contributes to the interests of many tourists. Visitors could also learn about wide array of ancient sculptures and stones at the backyard of the temple complex.
5. Tegalalang Rice Terrace
One of the most renowned rice fields in Asia which is famous for retaining the traditional Balinese irrigation system known as Subak. Take a walk on the slope across the valley and witness local farmers’ activities as they plant and reap the rice from terraced paddies. You’ll be able to take pictures on the high roadside and the famous “Love Bali” sign.
6. Monkey Forest
It’s a renowned rainforest conservation center with archaic open-air architecture close to the busiest part of Ubud. Here you’ll be able to enjoy fresh air as well as to interact with hundreds of long-tailed macaques by feeding them with hand. There are trails across 27 acres of the park which allow visitors to access many features in the Monkey Forest grounds.
7. Puri Saren (Ubud Royal Palace)
The palace was built by Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel, King of Ubud circa 1820 which initially functioned as government center. Today, Puri Saren serves as a repository for Balinese cultural legacy in art and literature to the benefit of local artists and historians alike.
8. Ubud Market
Right across Puri Saren (the Ubud Royal Palace), there is a traditional market laden with hand-made local products. At the west side of the market are full of tourists buying crafted souvenirs with relatively cheap price, while the east side comprises of groceries and household items. There are a lot of items that you can bring home, such as slippers, wooden statues, bags, clothes, mats, paintings and loads of other stuffs.
