BULELENG

Buleleng is one of Bali’s nine regencies and occupies almost the entire north of the island. In this regency, there are many points of interest, such as the twin lakes Buyan and Tamblingan, temples, some of the best waterfalls in Bali, rice fields, and thermal pools. Also, in the regency of Buleleng, we can find two of the important cities of Bali, Lovina and Singaraja, and even an island with deer.

Map of Buleleng Regency, Bali

MAIN LOCATIONS OF BULELENG

Singaraja

Singaraja is the second-largest city in Bali and was its capital during the Dutch colonial period. This is a multicultural city where you can see the Dutch influence but also Chinese and Islamic influences. The town of Singaraja doesn’t have a great appeal for tourists. Still, in its surroundings, you can find some of the best waterfalls in Bali and the tourist city of Lovina.

Lovina

Lovina is a coastal town located very close to Singaraja, the former capital of Bali. Lovina stands out for being one of the calmest places of the island and is ideal for enjoying the sun, the beach, and diving. Besides, Lovina is much known for the excursions that are done in a boat to see dolphins in freedom.

MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST IN BULELENG

Buyan Lake

Buyan Lake is located at the bottom of Mount Lesung and is one of the twin lakes of Buleleng. Buyan Lake is more extensive than its twin, Lake Tamblingan, and both are situated on an ancient volcanic boiler. This lake is surrounded by rainforest where you can hike, and also coffee plantations.

Ulun Danu Buyan Temple

The Ulun Danu Buyan temple is located on the shores of Buyan Lake and in comparison to the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple located nearby. Still, in the Tabanan regency, this is a much lesser-known temple to tourists. The Buyan temple is a large temple complex made of dark carved stone, and although it is not very famous, it is stunning.

Tamblingan Lake

Tamblingan Lake is the younger brother of Buyan Lake. In the old days were just one lake, but a massive volcanic eruption separated them. Today between the two, there is a dense forest from which you can view impressive landscapes of the two lakes.

⇒Read our full guide about the lakes of Bali.

Boats on the shores of Tamblingan Lake, Bali

Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple

Ulun Danu Tamblingan is the temple located on the shore of Lake Tamblingan. This is one of the least visited temples in Bali, and although it cannot be visited inside, it can be seen from the lakeside. During most of the year, this temple is inaccessible by land due to the rains, but it can be reached by boat.

⇒Read our complete guide about the temples of Bali.

Twin lake viewpoint

The Buyan and Tamblingan Lakes are separated by a two-kilometer vast rainforest that has become an attraction for tourists. Between the two lakes, there is a lookout point, called Twin Lake Viewpoint, from where you can see the two lakes. In the area, you can hike several trails that last between 2 and 8 hours.

Handara Gate

Handara Gate is a traditional Balinese gateway located between the Buyan and Bedugul lakes in a green setting. This gate is nothing more than the entrance to a golf club. Still, it has become very famous on Instagram and among travellers who want to have an iconic image on their social media. To have your picture taken with the gate in the background, you will have to pay an entrance fee of 10,000 IDR (€0.60).

Young girl entering Hendara Gate, Bali

Wanagiri Hidden Hill

Wanagiri Hidden Hill is a very famous place in Bali to take pictures on different swings and bamboo baskets. This park is located on the north shore of Lake Buyan, and the attractions have viewpoints to this lake. To enter Wanagiri Hidden Hill, you have to pay an entrance fee of 100,000 IDR (approximately €6), and you can ride all the attractions and take as many pictures as you like.

Western Bali National Park

Western Bali National Park is located at the western end of the Island of Gods. The National Park Bali Barat (in Indonesian) is an extension of the island of Bali. You can find exuberant green forests, picturesque mountain ranges, crystalline waters, and long extensions of pristine beaches. Also, this national park is the home to more than one hundred species of wildlife and endangered birds.

Menjangan Island

Menjangan Island is located near the West Bali National Park, in the west of the Island of the Gods. Menjangan Island is a protected reef area and is part of the national park. Menjangan Island is considered one of the best-preserved reef areas in Bali and Indonesia. This island is known as Deer Island since many specimens can be found here walking around the island, and even bathing on the beaches.

Sekumpul Waterfall

Sekumpul is one of the most famous waterfalls in Bali and one of the most impressive in the whole island. This waterfall is located about 17 kilometers from Lake Buyan, and we recommend that you travel by motorbike because the road is not very suitable for cars. Sekumpul is a set of three waterfalls that attract many tourists every day.

Sekumpul waterfall in the middle of the vegetation, Bali

Aling Aling Waterfalls

Aling Aling is a waterfall with natural pools where you can swim or jump from the top of the falls and even go down a natural slide. These waterfalls are located approximately 9 kilometers from the city of Singaraja, the former capital of Bali.

Banyumala Waterfall

Banyumala is a waterfall that lies just north of the twin lakes Buyan and Tamblingan. It is famous for having a natural pool at its bottom, which is ideal for swimming and relaxing in nature.

Gitgit Waterfall

The Gitgit waterfall is located 15 kilometers from Singaraja. It is part of a natural complex of 6 waterfalls that are connected by a path. This waterfall has relatively easy access through a wooden bridge. Gitgit is the highest waterfall in Bali, with a drop of 45 meters.

Munduk Rice Fields

Munduk’s rice fields are located 6 kilometers from Lake Tamblingan in a tranquil and authentic area. Situated in an area where thick vegetation covers the mountains, Munduk rice fields are an ideal environment to spend a day in nature and get away from the typical tourist routes.

⇒Read our complete guide about the rice fields of Bali.

Munduk Waterfall

Munduk is one of the least visited waterfalls by tourists because it is quite far from the main tourist spots on the island. If you are going to visit the twin lakes, you will only have to travel about 6 kilometers to this waterfall located in the middle of the jungle. To access it, you have to go down about 500 meters on a path that is well marked and surrounded by vegetation.

⇒Read our complete guide about waterfalls of Bali.

Pemuteran Beach

Pemuteran beach is a black beach surrounded by green hills and is located about 45 kilometers from Lovina. The area of Pemuteran is quiet, and underwater you can see the most amazing things. In Pemuteran, there are large areas of shallow reefs. With only a short boat trip, you can see seahorses, crabs, frogfish, and many other marine animals. Pemuteran is considered one of the best places in Indonesia for snorkeling and diving.

⇒Read our complete guide about beaches in Bali.

Banjar Thermal Pools

The thermal pools of Banjar are located 10 kilometers from Lovina in an environment full of vegetation. The water in these pools is hot, contains sulfur, and is believed to have healing powers. The water of the pools of Banjar comes out of the mouths of eight stone sculptures in the shape of dragons and fills three public pools and one private one. The entrance to the thermal pools of Banjar costs 20,000 IDR (approximately €1.2).

Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Temple

Brahma Vihara Arama is a Buddhist temple located in the hills of Banjar, about 20 kilometers from Singaraja, and very close to the thermal pools of Banjar. This temple is considered the small version of the Borobudur temple of Java because it has bells made of black stone and its structure in different terraces, just like this one. This temple is a place where you can breathe peace and tranquility and is ideal for meditation or a walk through its gardens.

Aerial view of the Buddhist temple Brahma Vihara Arama, Bali

DESTINATIONS IN BULELENG