The Regency of Gianyar is the centre of Balinese culture, rich in history and artefacts. Gianyar's history is arguably the most fascinating in Bali. The town of Gianyar itself is a small administrative town, home to one of the best-preserved palaces on the island, but unfortunately closed to visitors.
Ubud is recognised as the cultural centre of Bali. It is where the image of Bali as an island of artistic scenes of everyday life originates. Ubud is home to many respected local and western artists.
The cultural image of Ubud is paramount to the people as home to the best art museums in the country. The Puri Lukisan, a Museum of Fine Arts established in the 50's, as well as fine examples of modern Balinese art.
The Neka Museum has a diverse and interesting collection of mainly modern art. It also includes an excellent and varied display of work by western artists who have resided in Ubud through the years.
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) exhibits a fascinating collection of traditional Balinese artists, as well as contemporary Indonesian and foreign artists.
Ubud is in ideal place to see Balinese dance. Legong, Ramayana, Baris and Kecak are performed nightly in or around the Ubud area.
Ubud gives you the opportunity to see the real Bali. It is a place for leisurely strolls through rice paddies, lush forests, breathtaking gorges, and deserted swimming holes, all within walking distance from the centre of Ubud. You can visit the Monkey Forest-walk along Monkey Forest Road from Ubud, down into a dense forest where you will find a bunch of naughty monkeys waiting for passing tourists, so hold on to your cameras!
Ubud market has kept much of its traditional charm, with squatting Balinese sellers haggling loudly among spices and vegetables. The market also sells handicrafts, many made in the neighbouring villages of Pengosekan, Tegallalang, Payangan and Peliatan.
The Gianyar Regency has some of the most important archaeological sites with the majority located in the Pejeng area, 4 km from Ubud. Pejeng is home to one of South East Asia's oldest artefacts, a huge kettledrum known as the Moon of Pejeng, a relic from the Bronze Age originating from Dongson, Vietnam, and a nearby archaeological museum. The village also has two ancient temples, the Pura Pusering Jagat and Pura Kebo Edan.
The road to Pejeng and Gianyar is the site of Goa Gajah showing elements of both Hindu and Buddhist use. You can enter the cave through the huge mouth of a demon. In front of the cave are two bathing pools with spring water gushing from spouts held by female figures.
A kilometre from Goa Gajah is Yeh Pulu. After a short walk through rice paddies you will arrive at an ancient rock carving dating from the 14th century. The carving depicts various scenes of everyday life and the figures of elephant-headed Ganesha indicate a close relationship between the two sites.
Still within the regency of Gianyar in the central mountains across from Trunyan is the small settlement of Tirta, with its popular hot springs. The springs bubble out and are captured in bathing pools. The water is soothingly hot and is reputed to have powerful healing powers.
Due to its elevation at 600 m above sea level, Ubud enjoys cooler temperatures than the coast, and it is sometimes necessary to bring a pullover for the evening — when it rains in Ubud, it
really rains.
