Description: Ubud is all about the lush jungle and the center of spirituality and culture in Bali. This exclusive guide will give you everything you need to know about Ubud.
Since the movie Eat, Pray, Love was released, Ubud has seen a surge of visitors who want to have the same experience as Elizabeth Gilbert. With partying and clubbing focused on the southern area, Ubud in the center of Bali becomes the antithesis, offering peace and serenity instead.
Many Ubud travel guides mention meditation and retreat, and as great as the area for that purpose, art and culture are why your Ubud travel will be memorable. Get ready to be charmed by Ubud in our exclusive guide.
1. Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest, oh, where do we start? Yes, you can take a selfie with the monkey, as you can see all over Instagram, but this sanctuary holds more significance than just the habitat of white-tailed macaques. The Monkey Forest is also a sacred place where the Balinese hold religious ceremonies.
Ubud Monkey Forest is a great place to stroll, as many tree species provide enough shade to shelter you from the sun! The monkeys can be quick enough to snatch your belongings, so keep them safe inside your bags. If that happens, your guide will help you retrieve your things with a barter of food for them!
2. Ubud Palace
Ubud Palace, locally known as Puri Saren Agung, is the residence of the Ubud Royal Family. The family still resides there, though part of the palace is open to the public. Located in the center of Ubud, the palace grounds, especially the front yard, are famous for their lotus pond.
The palace is adorned with intricate Balinese carvings and pavilions, giving you a glimpse of the Ubud art and architecture. Starting from 7:30 PM, you can see a traditional Balinese dance performance here, making Ubud Palace a place you should not miss!
3. Ubud Art Market
Just a short walk from Ubud Palace is the Ubud Art Market, another icon of Ubud. This is where you wear your most comfortable shoes as you can spend a whole day browsing from one shop to another. Showcasing Balinese arts, from home decor to handmade rattan bags and clothes, you will be surprised by what you can find here!
This is your place if you’re looking forward to practicing your bargaining skills. On the contrary to many Ubud travel guides, we encourage you to haggle because it is fun, and you’ll get the lowest price with the best quality items. Who doesn’t like that?
4. Tirta Empul Temple
Among many Ubud Bali temples, Tirta Empul is arguably one of the most well-known ones, partly because of its proximity to Ubud. A complex of water temples, Tirta Empul, is also the place to go if you want to have a purification ceremony called melukat. Spring water here is believed to cleanse your body and soul through various ceremonies.
The temple is always full during special occasions, especially the full moon, as the Balinese also have a full moon ceremony. As this is a holy complex, dressing appropriately is mandatory, meaning you must wear a sarong and mind your words and actions.
5. Tegalallang Rice Terrace
Your Ubud travel is not complete without visiting the Tegalallang Rice Terrace. These impressive, lush green, multi-layered rice terraces with traditional irrigation systems called subak are a feast for the eyes.
With the scenic views, it’s only right for you to explore the rice terraces, as there are trails and paths that you can follow. Want to take a break in the middle of your walk? Worry, not as many small cafes are operated by locals ready to serve you cool drinks and delectable, homemade meals.
CONCLUSION
Different from the beach destination in the south, Ubud is truly aimed at those of you who prefer nature in the form of lush jungles and rice terraces. If you need a more comprehensive list of Ubud, including the dining and bar scene, the OnBali guide to Ubud has got you covered. We found many recommendations there to places we had never heard of before!
We can say that Ubud is worth spending some days as there are plenty of places to visit that we couldn’t cover here. Ubud is love at first sight and we cannot wait to go back!
