Singaraja Tourist Attractions
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Top Tourist Attractions in Singaraja
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.
Pura Dalem
The Pura Dalem, one of the most interesting Hindu temples in northern Bali is in Jalan Gajah Mada.A small split gate leads into the first courtyard, which contains few buildings of any great interest. To the left is another richly decorated gate giving access to the second courtyard, which, surprisingly, is some 2 m (61/2 ft) lower. On the left-hand side of this is the Bale Gong, on the right-hand side the Bale Pemalaiyagan, in which the gods are received when they attend festivals in the temple. On the right of the wall between the first and second courtyards is a raised seat for the priests, and adjoining this an offering stand. At the far end of the temple complex steps lead up to a stone terrace, on which are gedongs dedicated to various divinities. Throughout the inner temple precinct and on the outer walls are finely executed reliefs which merit close attention.
Gedong Kirtya Library
A visit to the Gedong Kirtya Library in Jalan Veteran can be recommended to those who are interested in Balinese history and have some knowledge of Dutch.The library contains some 3000 old manuscripts written on leaves of the lontar palm and numerous diaries, newspapers and periodicals dating from the period of Dutch occupation. These modern publications are in poor condition and already show signs of disintegration. Only the palm-leaf manuscripts are kept in lead boxes; the other material - arranged in a rather haphazard way - is on open shelves.But if you have time at your disposal or are prepared to spend a rainy day on an excursion into the history of Bali you may well make some interesting discoveries in the Gedong Kirtya Library. The staff allow visitors access to almost all the library's holdings; and before leaving you will be expected to make an entry in the visitors' book and offer an appropriate financial contribution.
Surroundings
There are a number of attractions in the area surrounding Singaraja.
Lovina Beach
10 km (6 mi.) west-south-west of Singaraja, on the shores of the Bali Sea, is the resort of Lovina Beach, with a number of new hotels. Although the quality of the beach is not particularly high - it is narrow, with dark-colored sand - it is a pleasant enough place for a bathing holiday, much quieter than the crowded beaches of southern Bali.
Komala Tirtha
Just to the west of Singaraja a side road branches off the road from Lovina Beach on the right (signposted "Air Panas") and comes in a few kilometers to Komala Tirtha, with hot sulphurous springs, beautifully situated in the forest. Visitors can bathe in the pools fed by the springs.
Gitgit
The Gitgit waterfall is near the village of Gitgit (10 km (6 mi.) south-east of Singaraja on the road to Bedugul), in dense jungle.
Sangsit
At the village of Sangsit, 6 km (4 mi.) north-east of Singaraja, is the lavishly decorated Pura Beji, a temple dedicated to the fertility and rice goddess Dewi Sri which belongs to a rice-farmers' co-operative (subak). The temple shows Chinese as well as Hindu features. The tripartite split gate leading into the inner courtyard is exceptionally richly ornamented; on its outer surface are several grimacing demons framed in finely carved lotus blossoms. Beyond the gate is an aling-aling (protective wall to keep out demons) flanked by two snakes. The profusion of carved ornament characteristic of northern Bali continues in the inner courtyard. Above the temple rears the gedong of the goddess Dewi Sri.On leaving the temple note the three figures from the "Ramayana" on each side.Sangsit's other temple, the Pura Dalem, is relatively plain but is notable for its finely carved reliefs.
Sawan
10 km (6 mi.) south of Sangsit is the village of Sawan, which is famed for the manufacture of gongs.
Map - Singaraja
