The Cultural Treat of Ubud Bali

If I have to describe the surroundings of Ubud Bali in one word I would say "idyllic" and a visit to Bali island will not be complete without seeing or staying on the outskirts of Ubud to soak up the atmosphere there.

Despite the large numbers of tourists visiting this little village with streets that are too narrow for touring cars, Ubud has somewhat been able to maintain its traditional life.

In Ubud Bali men and women still place offerings gracefully on the side of the road and every day you will see them riding beautifully dressed on motor scooters to temples and ceremonies while holding colorful woven baskets.

 

Walking while balancing the baskets on their head with ease...

 

Flowers, big banyan trees, temples, bright colored decorations, rice paddies, sleepy villages around Ubud where Balinese people still live as many years before are the things that make the idyllic picture.

Getting around: Plus important addresses and handy phone numbers...
Things to do: Enjoy a course, go to one of the many performances or wake up early to see the daily life of Ubud Market...
Restaurants: Eat at a local warung, enjoy beautiful gardens while having lunch or go for a classy place for dinner.
Hotels: Find out the many beautiful accommodations around Ubud Village

When travellers refer to Ubud they actually refer to the touristy village of Ubud but also the not touristy neighboring hamlets (clockwise) of Sambahan, Kutuh, Peliatan, Tebesaya, Padang Tegal, Peliatan, Pengosekan, Nyukuning, Campuhan, Penestanan, Sayan and Sanggingan even when they might not be aware of it ;-)

Ubud Bali is not a village were you should be up and running.

It is more a place where you'll want to stroll around or just sit with a book and watch the colorful and delightful pictures pass by.

 

Placing offerings, a daily actvity...

 

If you can’t resist some action though, there is the Ubud Monkey Forest where you’ll be greeted by the many macaque monkeys or visit Ubud Market. This market is a maze of shops that sell everything a traveler in Bali can imagine…

The village is surrounded by fertile land which has resulted in the beautiful rice field terraces you always find in travel and photo books on Bali.

This is also an ideal location to explore the terraces yourself and make beautiful Bali pictures while standing in the middle of the fields.

 

In the rice fields just outside Ubud Bali

 

In the past the rice fields and ideal irrigation systems have provided the people with a surplus in rice yields.

With time to spare the king of Sukawati ordered the rice farmers to dedicate their time on paintings for temples and palaces.

From here an unique place has emerged into a painter’s village that has attracted many people, including foreigners who have played their part in forming various painting styles.

It is not surprising to see that many artists feel at home in this village considering the mystical and inspiring setting.

 

Paintings in abundance in this tiny village

 

Today painting still plays an important role in Ubud and around. There are many galleries where painters sell their work.

Additionally there are several important art museums that show unique paintings that will create even more appreciation for this form of art.

You can continue your cultural adventure in the evening where you can choose from many Balinese performances such as the graceful Legong dance, the cool-looking Kecak-trance dance and the funny Wayang Kulit shadow puppet plays.

 

Bali dances performed almost every evening

 

This is a great way to end your cultural day experience in Ubud Bali followed by a good glass of wine in one of the flower garden restaurants…