Padangbai (or Padang Bai) is better known for its main seaport in East Bali, where ferries and boats take travellers southeast bound to the neighbouring island of Lombok. Even so, this coastal village has much more to offer for day-trippers to Bali’s lesser-visited east, offering some cultural sites as well as great diving and snorkelling from its many white sand beaches.
Padangbai is about 13 km southwest of the main hub of Candidasa, if you’re coming from the main southern Bali resort areas such as Kuta and Denpasar. Divers won’t find a shortage of operators lining the beachfront. Boats operated by locals can take you to the best spots around the waters, where you can discover vivid reefs teeming with marine life.
Things to do in Padangbai A highlight in Padangbai for beach lovers is Blue Lagoon, a small bay northeast of the seaport with only a 60m stretch of white sand, which you can snorkel right off from. Divers take a 5-minute boat ride from Padang Bai to a dive spot of the same name, where there are large Napoleon wrasse, reef shark, stonefish, moray and blue ribbon eels, nudibranchs, rays, giant frogfish, and cuttlefish. Often dubbed a ‘hidden beach’ due to its location between small hilly capes, Bias Tugel is a 130-metre-long strip southwest of the Padang Bai port. It offers calm and blue waters most times of the year. You can relax on the even sand or under shades of parasols with beach loungers. The beach that shares the bay with the seaport is not so busy, especially on its eastern end, and you can also enjoy fairly good swimming and snorkelling.
There are several temples around Padangbai, with the most significant being the 11th century Pura Silayukti, located on a headland north east of the bay and seaport. A path leads you up to the hill where two other temples are also found, namely Pura Tanjungsari and Pura Telaga Mas. Silayukti’s vibrant temple anniversary, which coincides every ‘Kliwon Pahang’ Wednesday on the Balinese pawukon calendar, sees pilgrims from all over Bali over the course of 4 days.
Padangbai Location Location: Padangbai, Manggis, Karangasem, Bali 80871, Indonesia
Sidemen Village is a stunning panoramic view of rural ingenuity and heritage. Here you’ll find a countryside community down the southern hillsides of Bali’s tallest mountain, Mount Agung. Swathes of paddies and plantations around the village are tended by their respective farming communities.
The village area is one of the main destinations for day trips through the eastern region. It’s where you can find a ‘real Bali’ scene that offers both beautiful Bali rice paddy landscapes and interesting cultural highlights.
Rice fields and crafts of Sidemen Village The scenic and traditional Sidemen Village is along the Klungkung and Besakih Temple route, roughly a 2-hour drive from Ubud. The main highlights are its expanses of rice fields, with many available tours offering nature and paddy treks. These offer you an immersive experience, often traversing local plantations and crossing rivers. You can also enjoy a leisurely bicycle tour through the downhill routes of the village. Sidemen village is also known among Balinese locals as the top producer of traditional palm toddy called tuak. The product is also often further refined into arak palm wine. Cottage industries producing the beverage are widespread throughout the village.
A great souvenir to take home from Sidemen is the villagers’ traditional dye weavings, known as songket and endek. The heritage textiles are praised for their intricate motifs and use of colourful hand-loomed cotton or silk threads. Silk items are naturally on the higher side of the price range. Both the cloth and a large print of this picture-postcard rice paddy landscape can be perfect mementoes of your time in Bali.
Amed refers to a long stretch of coast running from the village of Culik about 14 km eastwards incorporating the seven villages of Amed, Jemeluk, Bunutan, Lipah, Selang, Banyuning and Aas. The pace of life here is slow and the coastal scenery quite stunning making Amed the perfect place for a relaxed holiday in Bali.
Amed Beach with the sun disapearing behind Mount Agung Amed is the most recent tourist development area in Bali. It was only in 2000 that tarmac was laid on the roads. Telephone lines were installed in 2003 and it took until 2007 for a bridge to be built over a section of the main road that regularly washed away during the rainy season.
This is the most commonly used base for visitors wishing to dive the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben and that area is also covered by this article. There are other good dive sites close at hand and a thriving dive industry has developed all the way along the coast here.
Amed’s inhabitants live from fishing, salt-making and tourism. The lack of tourism-based revenue, its remote nature and the generally harsh environment for farming, meant that this area was very much one of the poorer areas in Bali. Amongst others, the East Bali Poverty Project drew attention to the plight of the local villagers in this area and that, together with recent tourist development, has gone a long way to improving general standards of living, health and education.
Get in: Amed lies on the north-eastern tip of Bali, about three hours drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. A taxi service to Amed is available outside airport (turn left after customs) van rental parking lot about Rp 450,000 as of Nov. 2014. Amed is accessed by turning east at the village of Culik which lies on the main east coast road from Karangasem to Singaraja.
Shuttle buses regularly serve the destination from Candidasa and Lovina and now that the road has been greatly improved, they take you all the way into Amed (previously all buses stopped at Culik and motorbikes ferried visitors into Amed). Perama operates optional shuttle buses from Padang Bai or Candidasa to Tirtagangga, Amed and Tulamben (Rp 125,000, min. 2 people). Depart : 9.30AM & 2PM – Return : 11AM. There is no Perama office in Amed, however there are two shops serving as pick-up/drop-off points, as well as ticket offices. One is Amed Cafe and the other one is No Problem Shop (at Amed Beach, the first village of Amed).
The easiest way into Amed though is to hire your own transport with a driver. Be aware that the Amed district is stretched out over more than 10 km. Transport by local drivers is widely available in Amed. Transport to Padang Bai should not cost more than Rp 180,000.
If you are coming from the islands to the east, Amed Sea Express offers pick-up in Lombok, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air with twice daily service to Amed arriving at 9:15AM & 1:15PM.
See: The black sand and fishing boats of Amed There is vibrant marine life close offshore in clear seas – see more at Diving, Freediving.
Amed is famous for its beaches, lined with traditional outrigger fishing boats. There is quite coarse black volcanic sand at Amed village beach. As you move further east (and away from Mount Agung), the beaches have softer sand and become more of a mid grey-brown in colour. The prettiest bays are probably those at Jemeluk and Lipah but the whole stretch of coastline is very attractive.
Salt production is a declining but still important industry in this area. As you drive along the main coast road through the villages you will see large open drying pans crusted with salt crystals. Those little boxes of gourmet Bali salt crystals you see in delicatessens and speciality food stores all over the world may have started their long journey from these very pans.
Do: Jemeluk Bay with Mount Agung in the distance Most people come to Amed as a getaway, including expats from other parts of the island. It is a favourite honeymoon destination for tourists and is very popular with divers and snorkelers. Day trips to local places of interest such as the water palace at Tirta Gangga and Bali’s most sacred temple, Besakih, can easily be arranged. Mount Agung with lots of trekking options just 30-40 minutes from Amed. Traditional outrigger boats are available for fishing charters from the main beaches in the Amed area. This normally involves early morning trolling for mackerel, barracuda and tuna. Have a traditional massage on the beach. Women from the local villages are always on hand for an invigorating massage, especially at Lipah Beach. Enjoy nature and go with the wind on a traditional sailing boat for diving, fishing, exploration, dolphin watching, snorkelling or just swimming and relaxing. Go stand up paddleboarding (SUP) in Jemeluk bay beside Apneista freediving school, this is a beautiful way to explore the coast and stay in shape, there are amazing views of Mount Agung.
Besakih Temple is a pura or Temple complex in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, Indonesia. It is the most important, largest, and holiest temple of Balinese Hinduism,and one of a series of Balinese temples. Perched nearly 1000 meters up the side of Gunung Agung, it is an extensive complex of 23 separate but related temples with the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung. The temple is built on six levels, terraced up the slope. The entrance is marked by a candi bentar (split gateway), and beyond it, the Kori Agung is the gateway to the second courtyard.
History A puja ceremony at the Besakih Temple. The precise origins of the temple are unclear but its importance as a holy site almost certainly dates from prehistoric times. The stone bases of Pura Penataran Agung and several other temples resemble megalithic stepped pyramids, which date back at least 2,000 years. It was certainly used as a Hindu place of worship from 1284 when the first Javanese conquerors settled in Bali. By the 15th century, Besakih had become a state temple of the powerful Gelgel dynasty. The temple is on the slopes of Mount Agung, the principal volcano of Bali.
Architecture: Pura Besakih is a complex made up of twenty-three temples that sit on parallel ridges. It has stepped terraces and flights of stairs that ascend to several courtyards and brick gateways that lead up to the main spire or Meru structure, which is called Pura Penataran Agung. All this is aligned along a single axis and designed to lead the spiritual person upward and closer to the mountain which is considered sacred.
The main sanctuary of the complex is the Pura Penataran Agung. The symbolic center of the main sanctuary is the lotus throne, or padmasana, which is therefore the ritual focus of the entire complex. It dates to around the seventeenth century.
A series of eruptions of Mount Agung in 1963, which killed approximately 1,700 people also threatened Pura Besakih. The lava flows missed the temple complex by mere meters. The Balinese people regarded the saving of the temple as miraculous, and a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected.
Festivals Each year there are at least seventy festivals held at the complex since almost every shrine celebrates a yearly anniversary. This cycle is based on the 210-day Balinese Pawukon calendar year. It had been nominated as a World Heritage Site as early as 1995 but was pulled out in 2015
Lahangan Sweet Located in the Banjar Dinas Gulinten region of the Kabupaten Karangasem district in Bali, Indonesia, the Langhangan Sweet Lookout is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rice fields, this lookout offers a peaceful and serene escape from the bustling city life When visiting the Langhangan Sweet Lookout, visitors can expect to find a peaceful and serene atmosphere, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and rice fields.
Located on a mountain ridge, this lookout offers breathtaking views of Mount Agung on Bali and Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island. A short path leads to the viewpoint, where visitors can marvel at the stunning vistas on a clear day.
There are several benches and gazebos available for visitors to relax and take in the beauty of the surroundings. The lookout is located in a traditional Balinese village, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn about and experience local culture.
Navigating to Lahangan Sweet Lookout can be challenging, so it is important to pay close attention to the directions. The road leading up the mountain can be slippery and difficult to navigate, especially if you are arriving by scooter. It is recommended to have a full tank of gas and to be cautious when riding on the roads. If you are not a confident rider, you can park your scooter near the wooden sign and continue on foot. The walk up to the lookout is short but steep, so expect to get a bit of a workout. However, the effort will be worth it as you will be rewarded with one of the most incredible views in Bali.
There are several viewpoints at Lahangan Sweet Lookout that offer panoramic views of the Amed region and the surrounding area. One of the most famous viewpoints is the treehouse platform (that is the one you see in all the photos on social media), which is located a short walk down the path. This platform is built around a tree and requires climbing a ladder to access. From here, you can see the southern part of Bali, including Mount Abang and Mount Batur in the distance. The main attraction at Lahangan Sweet Lookout is the view of Mount Agung, which is truly breathtaking.
There is also a square palm terrace with wooden benches located near a big tree, as well as a small platform with a roof on the ground. These viewpoints offer the perfect opportunity to relax and take in the beautiful scenery.
Photo Opportunities and Tips The Langhangan Sweet Lookout offers a variety of photo opportunities, including panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and rice fields. It is recommended to visit the lookout during the early morning or late afternoon to capture the best lighting for photos.
For the best views with no clouds, it is recommended to visit Lahangan Sweet Lookout during the dry season (March to November). During this time, the area is much drier and provides a great opportunity to see the surrounding islands in the distance. The dry season is generally the best time to visit the lookout for clear, unspoiled views. If you do decide to visit during the wet season, be prepared for potentially cloudy or rainy conditions.
Be sure to also take some photos of the traditional Balinese village and the local people who call it home.
What Visitors Say They Liked About Visiting Many visitors to the Langhangan Sweet Lookout have praised the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere of the lookout. Some visitors have also enjoyed learning about and experiencing the local culture and traditions of the traditional Balinese village where the lookout is located.
Tenganan Pegringsingan or Pageringsingan is a village in the regency of Karangasem in East Bali, Indonesia. Before the 1970s was known by anthropologists to be a secluded society in the archipelago. Rapid changes have occurred in the village since the 1970s, such as the development of local communications by the central government, the opening up to tourism, and the breaking of the endogamic rules. Tourists are attracted to Tenganan by its unique Bali Aga culture that still holds to the original traditions, ceremonies, and rules of ancient Balinese, and its unique village layout and architecture. It is known for its gamelan selunding or Gambelan selonding music played on iron metallophones and gringsing or geringsing double ikat textiles woven in only 3 places in the world.
Historical legend of Tenganan PegringsinganVillage According to legend, the people of Tenganan Pegringsingan were selected by the Hindu god of storms and warfare Indra to administer a territory that was conceived following his divine plan to be a microcosm of the world. They were instructed to use every means to keep it pure and clean. The concept of territorial, bodily and spiritual purity and integrity is of paramount importance in the village.
Another variation of this legend is of the magical horse Uccaisrawa, of King Udayana, ruler of the 11th century kingdom of Bedahulu. The horse was to be sacrificed but escaped. The king was distraught and sent search parties out to find him. A group of trusted servants, men from the Peneges family were assigned to search the eastern area of the island in the area of Karangasem. The king had promised a huge reward to whoever found Uccaisrawa, however, when they did find him, he had died of exhaustion.
The king rewarded the finders with the land for as far as the smell of the dead horse could be detected. The men of Peneges dismembered the horse and carried the parts to various places around the place where the horse had died. Unknown to the king’s men, the Peneges men had hidden portions of a dead horse into their clothes, so the rotten smell followed them everywhere until the king’s men decided it was enough to land and left.
The Peneges men brought their families to the place called ngetengahang which means “to move to the middle”, a valley now known as Tenganan Pegringsingan. It also is named after the double ikat geringsing cloth that Indra taught the women to weave. It sparkled with star motifs that emulated his divine realm.
Village layout Houses in Tenganan Pegringsingan village are built on either side of the uphill to downhill concourses with their doors opening onto it. The entrances of the houses are narrow, only allowing one person to enter or leave at any one time. Entrance to and exit from the village through the gate on the downhill end. On either side of the entrance are two small temples. Across from these is the long balé agung, where the administrative decisions for the village are made. Next to that is the drum tower, kul-kul. The kul-kul is beaten 21 times each morning to start the day. Up the center are a series of communal pavilions (balé patemon) for formal and informal meetings, and ceremonial gatherings.At the northern end is the village temple Pura Puseh, the temple of origin.
The People of Tenganan Pegringsingan The people of Tenganan Pegringsingan are called Bali Aga—the original Balinese. They descend from the pre-Majapahit kingdom of Bedahulu. There are strict rules as to who is allowed to live in the village. Only those born in the village can stay in the village and become full members of the community. There are rules regarding marriage and anyone who marries outside of the village has to leave. A strict protocol regarding marriages among the kin groups have steered the Tengananese through the genetic perils of intermarriage although with increasing contact with the outside world these rules have relaxed somewhat.
Rites and Rituals Many of the life-cycle rituals of the Tengananese are similar to those of the Balinese in general, but have subtle differences. Some ceremonies are unique. One of the distinguishing features is the use of geringsing or double ikat cloth. By virtue of their magical qualities geringsing are not only capable of keeping impurities and danger out of the village, but also shield and protect humans from harmful influences during rites of passage as they transition from one phase of life to the next. The Tengananese receive their first geringsing at the hair cutting ritual. The cut hair is placed in a basket which is placed on a folded geringsing on the balé tengah, on which the Tegananese both enters and leaves the world. In the ceremony that admits a boy or girl to the youth association of the village, they are carried dressed in geringsing cloth on their father’s right shoulder. In the concluding ceremony of teruna nyoman which is the initiation, the candidates wear a geringsing and a keris or dagger.
For the tooth filing ceremony, an essential rite of passage for all Balinese Hindus, the participants’ pillow is covered by geringsing.
After death the genitals of the deceased in Tenganan are covered by a geringsing hip sash. These cloths may not be used again and so usually are sold. For muhun soul purification rites, an effigy of the dead is carried in a geringsing shoulder cloth.
In the wedding ceremony the groom invites his in-laws to visit his parents home where the couple, dressed in festive geringsing clothing sit while relatives bring symbolic gifts which are placed on a geringsing cloth.
Taman Ujung Water Palace, a stunning feature of the Karangasem Royal Park, was constructed in 1909 by the Karangasem king. It served as a peaceful retreat for the king and a venue for entertaining esteemed royal visitors. Taman Ujung Sukasada is also fame as Taman Ujung Water Palace. This park boasts a distinctive architectural style that blends Balinese, Chinese, and European elements. The use of colorful glass in the buildings is reminiscent of European churches, while the gardens feature Chinese-inspired design. Balinese influences can be seen in both the interior and exterior of the park’s structures.
The architect responsible for designing Taman Ujung is a Dutchman and his name is Van Den Hentz, accompanied by Chinese architect Loto Ang and Balinese Undagi. In 1921, The project was finish but the inauguration took place 16 years later in 1937. Marble inscriptions in Latin and Balinese scripts, written in Malay and Balinese languages, serve as evidence of its completion.
The origin story of Taman Ujung Sukasada involves the transformation of a pond called Pond Dirah. By the King of Karangasem, I Gusti Bagus Jelantik, who had the title Anak Agung Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem at the time. His vision was to turn the Dirah pond into a stunning garden, which eventually led to the creation of Taman Ujung Sukasada in 1909. Originally, the park spanned over 400 hectares, but during a land reform, the land was distribution into the public, leaving the current park area at 10 hectares.
The Dirah pool was once used as a means of testing individuals believed to have black magic. According to ancient beliefs, those accuse of practicing black magic would be place in the pool to prove their innocence. If they fell ill afterwards, they were considere guilty of black magic. Conversely, if they emerge unscathed, they were deem innocent.
Tirta Gangga is a former royal palace in eastern Bali, Indonesia, about 5 kilometres from Karangasem, near Abang. Named after the sacred river Ganges in Hinduism, it is noted for the Karangasem royal water palace, bathing pools and its Patirthan temple. The one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangasem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963.
Tirta Gangga is based on the beliefs in Balinese Hinduism, where river Ganges and its waters are considered sacred. Its waters are cherished for irrigation and agricultural abundance, recreation and economic activity. The Patirthan temple illustrates the historic significance of Tirta Gangga in the Balinese tradition as a pilgrimage and holy water site.
Tirta Gangga is also known as the “Water Palace” and is famed for its lush gardens and holy waters. The name of this attraction translates to ‘water from the Ganges’. The palace has religious significance for the locals as the waters are considered to be holy.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace Bali, Entrance Fee & Dress Code
One of the greatest attractions at Tirta Gangga is the centrally-located lotus fountain with beautiful carvings. Underwater springs feed the fountains which fill the many pools within the palace. You will find giant koi swimming here as well as lotus flowers which forms a beautiful scene.
Many local ceremonies are held at Tirta Gangga as it is considered a holy place. Particularly during the Spring, visitors will find a number of religious ceremonies held here with processions of priests with offerings, flags and music.
For visitors, there is an entrance fee of approximately 20,000 IDR and you can hire a guide if you wish for around 50,000 IDR. There is also a small pool in which you may swim and relax in, for an additional fee of around 10,000 IDR. But this is a small price to pay to take a dip on a hot summers day after taking a walk around the beautiful gardens.
The dress code is modest as there is a temple on site. A sarong covering ankles is required and can be hired at the entrance. Visitors should also ensure that their shoulders and midriffs are covered.
Surrounded by green rice paddies, this tropical oasis is a must visit for those holidaying in Bali. Tirta Gangga is located approximately 80 kilometres north of Denpasar in a village called Ababi Village.
Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is a Balinese Hindu temple or pura located in the slope of Mount Lempuyang in Karangasem, Bali. Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is considered as part of a complex of pura surrounding Mount Lempuyang, one of the highly regarded temples of Bali. The temples of Mount Lempuyang, represented by the highest pura at the peak of Mount Lempuyang, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, is one of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the “six sanctuaries of the world”, the six holiest places of worship on Bali.
History The establishment of places of worship around Mount Lempuyang is believed to predate the majority of Hindu temples on the island of Bali. The puras of Mount Lempuyang, represented by Pura Lempuyang Luhur, the highest temple in the area, is grouped one complex of pura which represents the Pura Sad Kahyangan Luhur Lempuyang. The temple groups are considered as part of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the “six sanctuaries of the world”, the six holiest places of worship on Bali. According to Balinese beliefs, they are the pivotal points of the island and are meant to provide spiritual balance to Bali. The temple groups of Mount Lempuyang is also one of the group of temples in Bali known as Pura Kahyangan Padma Bhuwana. Each of the temple in the Pura Kahyangan Padma Bhuwana marked each of the eight cardinal directions. Pura Lempuyang Luhur represents the direction of east (purwa) and the color white. This direction is associated with the domain of the Balinese god Iswara.
Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang was restored in 2001.
The gate of Heaven Of Lempuyang Temple
The candi bentar or split gate marking the entrance to the outermost sanctum (jaba pisan) of Pura Lempuyang Luhur. Pura Penataran Agung is located on the slope of Mount Lempuyang 600 metres (2,000 ft) high above sea level. Mount Lempuyang, also known as Mount Lempuyang Luhur, is one of the most sacred natural points in Bali. The whole Lempuyang mountain was divided into three section which corresponds to the Balinese cosmology, the base of the mountain is known as Sang Ananta Bhoga and corresponds to the mount of Brahma, the middle part of the mountain is known as Sang Naga Basukih and corresponds to mount of Vishnu, while the top of the mountain is known as Sang Naga Taksaka and is considered as mount of Shiva. The sacred-most point of Mount Lempuyang is where the Pura Lempuyang Luhur is built. Pura Penataran Agung, also known as Pura Silawana Hyang Sar, is located in the middle part of the mountain; while at the base of the mountain, the Pura Dalem Dasar Lempuyang is built.
Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is oriented toward the top of Mount Lempuyang. The temple compound is divided into three areas: the outer sanctum of the temple (jaba pisan or nistaning mandala), the middle sanctum (jaba tengah or madya mandala), and the inner main sanctum (jero or utamaning mandala).
Entrance to the outer sanctum (jaba pisan) is marked with a white-painted candi bentar split gate. Several bale (Balinese pavilions) are located in the outer sanctum, one of them is the rectangular bale gong (“gong pavilion”) where the gamelans are stored. Another bale in this courtyard is the bale kulkul where the percussive drum to call for prayer is placed.
Entrance to the middle sanctum (jaba tengah) is marked with three white-painted paduraksa portals. The entrance to the left is used for entry, while the entrance to the right is used for exit. The central door is usually closed and is only opened during the pura’s main festival e.g. the biannual piodalan festival. The central portal is where sacred objects, heirloom, and offerings could pass during festival time. All three flight of stairs which lead to the paduraksa portals is flanked with mythical figures of Naga. Sculptures inspired by the epic of Mahabharata, e.g. of Arjuna, Bima, and Yudhistira dots the landscape of the stair climb. On the uppermost level of these is the statue of Krishna, the worldly form of Vishnu.
The uppermost inner sanctum (jero) is the most sacred courtyard of the Balinese temple. The courtyard of Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang features several meru towers and pelinggih shrines each dedicated to different gods and local deities. Several padmasana shrines in the shape of empty stone thrones, each are dedicated to the highest god of Hindu pantheon e.g. the Sang Hyang Widhi and the gods of the Trimurti.
Ritual The piodalan or puja wali festival (pura’s anniversary) of Pura Penataran Agung is held once every 6 months every Waraspati (Thursday) or one day after the Galungan festival..