Amlapura
Capital of the Karangasem district, Amlapura is the key transport junction and town junction in the eastern Bali. It is very well connected to almost every part of the Bali. Though being the smallest of the Bali’s district capitals, it is worth a stop to check out the different royal palaces here.
Until the year 1963, Amlapura was known by the name of Karangasem. During that time, the Agung volcano erupted with a massive force and caused devastating damage. This was the reason why Karangasem was rechristened and reborn again as Amlapura so as to get rid of any further "unlucky" association.
One of the most significant attraction of the Amlapura is the puri or the traditional palaces which you must include in your Bali packages. You can locate the northern, western, eastern or southern puri found at several places in Amlapura. These palaces are till date occupied by the members from the royal family. Of all the palaces, the only one that is easily accessible is the Puri Kangin located on the eastern end. Besides this, you can also plan a visit to the old Puri Agung Karangasem, Palace that was the seat of the erstwhile King of Karangasem. Though not a favourite in the itinerary of the tourist’s visiting Indonesia, you can still plan a visit to check out the vast range of architectural marvels located here.
Amlapura FAQ's
Travel advice:
Keep touts at bay.
Whenever you eat street food, always double check the quality.
Make sure the water bottle that you buy from the stalls has its seal intact.
Don’t let anyone mislead you.
Book prepaid taxis to avoid overpaying. In case you are unable to find prepaid taxis, you can hire a metered taxi or auto. In case there is no option, you must negotiate the fare before you get in the taxi.
Never leave your valuables, cash or jewelry behind.
Enquire about the availability of the room safe before buying.
Do not book a hotel in a shady place.
Never indulge in drugs of any form.
Never entertain the beggars.
Don’t trust anyone with your valuables.
Always carry with you a copy of all your necessary documents and licenses. You may require to show them in some cases.
Do no photograph at the places where photography is prohibited.
You cannot shoot videos or films without the legal permissions. So, make sure you do that.
Do not litter around and spoil the beauty of the place.
Drinking laws
Our Recommendations: What You Can’t Afford To Miss?
Taman Ujung Water Palace is also known as the Soekasada Park or the Ujung Park. It is the erstwhile royal residence that is located near Amlapura. This exquisite complex comprises of three huge ponds and a main building, Gili Bale which is linked to the edge of the pool by a bridge. This is very huge and has fewer tourists hence the tranquil gardens here assure a pleasant sightseeing tour.
Puri Agung Karangasem once happened to be the kingdom of Karangasem. It presents a glimpse of the splendour of the days and the times when Bali was ruled by the Rajas. Located in the heart of Amlapura, it is a magnificent stop over for anyone who is interested in having a taste of history or architecture. Built in the 19th century, the palace is still a home to the descendants from the royal family. The orderly compound here is brimming with a number of separate courtyards that bring forth a unique blend of Chinese, European and Balinese architectural styles and several grand buildings. A teared pagoda-style entrance gate which is a magnificent symbolic of the three worlds – hell, earth and heaven is also seen here. This leads you to the rising sun in the east.
Taman Tirta Gangga is a royal water palace that forms the heart of a tiny village. It is enveloped by rice terraces and lies some seven km north of Amlapura. This place was built to protect the divinity of the natural spring. The place is considered extremely holy by the locals of Bali. It very well provides a place of relaxation, fun and contemplation for the visitors. Here the charming gardens are a good opportunity to take a breather when you are done exploring the different sites here. Taking a dip here is an important thing to do here
Are you up for a climb or a trek? Take a tour to the Pura Luhur Lempuyang that assures the fabulous views of the nearby surroundings. It also allows you to tick off one of the most important and significant Bali’s directional temples - Pura Luhur Lempuyang that is one of the Bali’s nine directional temple. It is an exemplary of the Balinese religion and culture.
The Bali Chocolate Factory is a beach side collection of bizarre Hobbit-like buildings where
an ample number of coconut products and chocolates are produced. To enter the complex, you’ll have to pay a 10,000 rupiah entrance fee. In this fee, you’ll also receive a bar of their coconut oil soap. You can also shop for an exquisite variety of products of Bali. Don’t miss out of the chocolate dipped goji berries and the delightful coconut syrup. This is the best tourist attraction in Bali.
There is a huge penis-shaped rock pokes that can be seen from behind the mass of temple umbrellas amidst the cloak of white and yellow cloth. In the year 2012, this coastal regeneration project was initialized in the Ujung with the building of a stone break-wall. This definitely is an important place to see in Amlapura.
Bali Bird Park is an important tourist attraction when you are out venturing the Ubud area. It is a home to the largest collection of the Birds of Paradise in the world. You can find hundreds of rare exotic birds and several Indonesian parrots here. Take a stroll through the misty aviaries and the lush tropical greenery where the birds fly freely in the setting of the rainforest.
Bali Safari & Marine Park is a remarkable home to several rare species of animals such as Sumatran tiger, Komodo and orang-utan. Several other exotic animals can also be found here. You can take an elephant safari here and interact with animals here. Once done, you can take a lunch at the Tsavo Lion restaurant. Do attend the Bali Agung show at the high-tech Bali Theatre.
What you will like here?
Balinese food is famous across the globe. So, when in Amlapura, how can you not take some time and involve yourself in some cooking lessons? Isn’t it good to take a part of the art with you so that the taste, flavour and the culture of Bali, goes with you. To take a cooking lesson, you can plan a visit to Bali Asli, which is a cooking school and a restaurant situated into a hill in Amlapura towering the majestic Gunung Agung. Gunung Agung is indeed one of the most splendid vantages places to see in Bali.
Bali is a home to humongous temples. The largest temple complex of the city is known as the Pura Besakih. Nestled on the high slopes of the Mount Agung in the eastern Bali, this extensive complex has a number of related temples. Of these, the most prominent one is the Pura Penataran Agung. Other temples to visit include the Kehen Temple, Gunung Kawi Temple.
One of the most loved markets of Amlapura is the Ubud Art Market. It conveniently lies opposite the Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace. Shopping for handmade goods that are crafted in the neighbouring villages is a common thing to do here. Some of the items that you can shop here include woven baskets, silk scarves, hats, shirts, ceramics, kites, carvings as well as the other handicrafts of Bali. Another must visit market in Amlapura is the two storeyed Sukawati Art Market which is also known as the Pasar Seni Sukawati. It is one of the those long standing art markets not just of Amlapura but rather in Indonesia. If you wish to get your hands on some of the most authentic art items of Bali such as sculpted wooden figures, paintings, traditional handmade products, curios and handicrafts, these can be your go to places.
You can literally spot monkeys anywhere and everywhere in Amlapura. However, to get a good view at them visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary can be an ideal place to see. It is a temple site and a natural reserve in Ubud. The sanctuary is also known as the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana. This reserve is also known as the foundation endeavours set up to safeguard the Balinese crab-eating macaque. It also helps maintain the sacred sites that lie within the reserve.
Wish to interact with most majestic elephants of Bali? Why not go on a sightseeing tour upon the back of these powerful giants. Watch their playful bathing routine, bath them and enjoy the live educational shows conducted here. This indeed is one of the most important things to do in Amlapura.
Tucked in a small village, the Setia Drama House of Masks and Puppets is enveloped by rice paddies. It is a beautiful tribute to the Javanese and Balinese puppetry as well as the ceremonial masks. More than 1000 articles are at display here within the four Javanese wooden houses that are nestled in the beautiful grounds with banyan trees, lotus ponds and abundant area for outdoor performances.
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