Buleleng Regency of North and West Bali

Buleleng is located in the northern and western part of Bali. Singaraja was the first capital of Bali before Denpasar became the capital in the southern part of Bali.

Singaraja - Bali’s chief port in Dutch colonial times, this town received many influences from the foreign traders. Singaraja has a number of Chinese Temples and colonial buildings. The Gedong Kertya Library houses a unique collection of Lontar (palm leaf) scriptures written in Balinese, covering many issues including traditional literature, medicinal formulas, black magic and much more. There are a number of old books in English, Dutch and Ancient Javanese (Kawi/Sanskret).

Buleleng Harbor - this historic but unused harbor is located along the north coast. Old warehouses, an ancient jetty and an arched bridge are all that is left of this once major seaport. Here a monument has been built in commemoration of Bali’s struggle to defeat the Dutch.

Deer Island (Pulau Menjangan) - 79 km west of Singaraja. This island is one of the most famous marine parks in the world, and part of the West Bali National Park. Rare and protected Java Deer inhabit this small island, however visitors usually come for the diving and snorkeling.

Banyuwedang - 60 km west of Singaraja. Natural Hot Springs with supposed curative powers near a temple.

Pulaki Temple - 53 km west of Singaraja. A large temple on both sides of the road. Part of it is perched on craggy rock looking out to sea, the other part climbs into the hills, both parts house monkeys that are keen on eating almost anything in sight! Balinese women sell fruit to tourists and it seems that grapes are their favorite.

Gondol - 50 km west of Singaraja. A Government-run fish-breeding project. Turtles, shrimp and prawns are included in the program.

Banjar Tegah Hot springs - 18km west of Singaraja. These slightly sulphur hot springs are well worth visiting. Set slightly back in the hills, dragon fountains fume hot water into the tiered bathing pools. A number of souvenir shops and a restaurant cater to tourists. A number of local visitors and schools visit at weekends and holidays. Close to this area is the Buddhist Monastery, Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery set in beautiful valley scenery.

Lovina - 10 km west of Singaraja. Buleleng’s main tourist area. Black sand beaches fringed with palm trees open onto a calm sea where travelers can view dolphins, snorkel, dive, sail, fish and swim. A resort area with a full range of accommodation.

Sangsit - 8 km east of Singaraja. Pura Dalem (the temple of the ancestors) is famous for its unique and amusing stone carvings and Pura Beji, a temple dedicated to the Goddess of Rice, is also a recipient for these extraordinary carvings.

Gitgit Waterfall - 11 km south of Singaraja. An impressive waterfall cascades into a small lagoon in a plantation of coffee and clove trees.

Kubutambahan - 12 km east of Singaraja. The Maduwe Karang Temple is renowned for carvings of a very imaginative nature. One such carving is that of a Dutch colonialist riding around on a bicycle whose tires are made entirely of petals!

Jagaraga - 13 km south east of Singaraja. Another northern temple that has amusing carvings, some of the carvings depict the Dutch colonialists getting drunk, an armed robbery and a wartime dogfight between aeroplanes.

Air Sanih - 18 km east of Singaraja. A cool natural spring-fed pool borders the beach.

Pancasari - 24 km south of Singaraja. A mountain village known for the golf course, Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club and two of Bali’s lakes, Buyan and Tamblingan.

Sembiran - 30 km south east of Singaraja. Probably a megalithic village, the culture, dialect and rituals are quite different from the rest of Bali.

Munduk - South west of Singaraja - Bali’s ecological village. This scenic village, located in the mountains, is an ideal place to stay and escape from the heat. Foggy afternoons, fields of blue hydrangeas and numerous waterfalls make it an ideal place to go hiking. (BTN/*)