Singaraja
District: Budeleng
By road: from Denpasar north via Sempidi, Mengwi and Bedugul; or - a much more attractive route - Denpasar to Kapal, then west via Antosari to Pengastulan and along the coast via Lovina Beach.
Bus: regular services daily from Denpasar-Ubung.
Bemo: on coast road to
Lovina Beach.
Singaraja, chief town of Buleleng district and Bali's second largest town, lies on the north coast of the island just under 80 km (50 mi.) from Denpasar. In the fertile surrounding area there are extensive coffee plantations. The new harbor to the west of the town plays an important part in Bali's trade with other Indonesian islands.
History The area around Singaraja seems to have been settled as early as the 10th century, but it was only towards the end of the 16th century, in the reign of Raja Panji Sakti, that the town became a place of any real consequence. It was named Singaraja after the palace built by the Raja in 1604. The Buleleng district takes its name from a type of grain which was grown here in the late medieval period.
During the Dutch efforts to gain control of Bali Singaraja played a part of some importance, and it was only in 1849, after several unsuccessful attempts, that the Dutch managed to capture the stronghold. Later the town became the headquarters of the Dutch colonial administration, and remained the island's capital until 1946, when it gave place to Denpasar.
The original town of Singaraja lies a little inland, with the districts of Pegulangan and Pabeanbuleleng to the north. It is a less bustling town than the present capital, Denpasar.
Features of interest in Pabeanbuleleng are a charming Chinese temple (usually closed) on the Old Harbour, two small mosques and the lively Great Market (Tama Lila) held daily in Jalan Ahmad Yani.
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