Ubud Attractions
Ubud
By road: from Denpasar north-east via Kesiman and Sukawati.
Bus: several services daily from Denpasar-Kereneng.
Bemo: not recommended from Denpasar.
Ubud, Bali's "artistic heart", lies 25 km (15 mi.) north-north-east of Denpasar on the southern edge of the central Balinese heartland, in a region of charming tropical landscape.
The well watered soil, irrigated by an intricate network of canals, enabled the population for many centuries to prosper on the proceeds of agriculture; nowadays an increasing proportion of their income comes from the tourist trade.
Arts and crafts Ubud is regarded as the artistic and cultural center of Bali. Many artists still live here, finding their inspiration in the beautiful country around the town. Some of them - painters, sculptors, woodcarvers, etc. - have formed artistic communities.
Ubud and the surrounding area are a good "shopping center" for traditional Balinese handicrafts; and with luck you may come upon some genuine antique - remembering that you require an export permit to take it home.
Although Ubud has little in the way of tourist sights to back up its attraction as an artistic center, it is well provided with accommodation for visitors and makes a good base from which to explore the surrounding country.
Ubud has a number of charming temples, and there are a variety of temple festivals and other ceremonies throughout the year.
By road: from Denpasar north-east via Kesiman and Sukawati.
Bus: several services daily from Denpasar-Kereneng.
Bemo: not recommended from Denpasar.
Ubud, Bali's "artistic heart", lies 25 km (15 mi.) north-north-east of Denpasar on the southern edge of the central Balinese heartland, in a region of charming tropical landscape.
The well watered soil, irrigated by an intricate network of canals, enabled the population for many centuries to prosper on the proceeds of agriculture; nowadays an increasing proportion of their income comes from the tourist trade.
Arts and crafts Ubud is regarded as the artistic and cultural center of Bali. Many artists still live here, finding their inspiration in the beautiful country around the town. Some of them - painters, sculptors, woodcarvers, etc. - have formed artistic communities.
Ubud and the surrounding area are a good "shopping center" for traditional Balinese handicrafts; and with luck you may come upon some genuine antique - remembering that you require an export permit to take it home.
Although Ubud has little in the way of tourist sights to back up its attraction as an artistic center, it is well provided with accommodation for visitors and makes a good base from which to explore the surrounding country.
Ubud has a number of charming temples, and there are a variety of temple festivals and other ceremonies throughout the year.
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Neka Museum
The Neka Museum is devoted to the works of Suteja Neka, one of Bali's most notable artists. The complex has four buildings of varying sizes set among lush gardens.
Antonio Maria Blanco House
A short distance west of the town center, in a splendid tropical garden, is the house and studio of one of the best known painters on Bali, Antonio María Blanco. The pictures displayed in the house - many of them for sale - give an excellent overview of Blanco's varied artistic activity. The house, which was presented to the artist by the son of a Balinese prince, is now the headquarters of the Blanco Art Foundation.
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Monkey Forest
The Monkey Forest is located in a beautiful setting. On the west side is the temple of Pura Dalem Agung Padang Tegal where there are always lots of monkeys to be seen.
Ubud Surroundings
Mas, Indonesia
4 km (21/2 mi.) south of Ubud is the little village of Mas, which is famed for the skill of its craftsmen. The main street of the village is lined with the shops and showrooms of woodcarvers, sculptors and other artists. Their workshops are often close by, enabling visitors to watch the craftsmen at work. Some woodcarvers runs courses for beginners and at a more advanced level.
Near the end of the village are the furniture-makers, who make tables, chairs and other items of bamboo and rattan.
Near the end of the village are the furniture-makers, who make tables, chairs and other items of bamboo and rattan.
Petulu, Indonesia
Bird-watchers will find it well worth while to make a detour to Petulu, only 3 km (2 mi.) north of Ubud. In the evening great flocks of white herons - a bird which to the Balinese is sacred - swoop down and settle on the trees around the village.
