TABANAN
Tabanan is one of the nine regencies in Bali and is located in the centre of the island. Tabanan is a very complete regency where you can see large extensions of rice fields, some of the most important temples of the island, beaches and much more. Also in Tabanan you will find the second highest peak in Bali and the biggest botanical garden in Indonesia.
POINTS OF INTEREST IN TABANAN
Beratan Lake
Beratan Lake is the second largest lake on the island and is located 1.200 meters above sea level. It was formed inside a volcanic crater and like most Balinese lakes, it provides a source of water to irrigate the nearby districts. At Lake Beratan you can rent canoes, motorboats and small traditional balinese boats.
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is the main attraction in the Bedugul area and is located on the western shore of lake Beratan. This temple is the second most important on the island after the mother temple Besakih and was built to honor the goddess of water and fertility Dewi Danu.
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is known for being located on the sea, on top of rock formations. This is one of the seven temples in Bali that worship the Sea God. It is believed that the water that flows from an underground well is sacred and is used for balinese baptismal ceremonies. The best views of the Tanah Lot temple are from a distance and during the sunset, since this is one of the best spots for sunset in Bali.
Batu Bolong Temple
Batu Bolong Temple is located on an arch-shaped rock jutting out of the sea. In addition to the ceremonies that take place every Wednesday at Batu Bolong, some of the most important festivities in the balinese calendar, such as Melasti, are celebrated at this temple throughout the year.
Jatiluwih Rice Fields
Jatiluwih rice fields are the largest in Bali and without doubt the most beautiful. The rice terraces of Jatiluwih were declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012 and unlike most rice fields in central Bali, these are less touristy and quieter.
Mount Batukaru
Mount Batukaru is a long-extinct volcano and is forested all the way to the top. This mountain can be climbed and hiked, but you have to be in good physical shape because the Batukaru volcano is 2.276 meters high. There are many agencies in the area that organize excursions to the top of the volcano.
Luhur Batukaru Temple
Luhur Batukaru temple, located at the base of the sacred Batukaru volcano is one of nine directional temples in charge of protecting the island of Bali from evil spirits. Although this temple does not have an architecture as spectacular as others, is one of the most important and is sacred to the balinese.
Balian Beach
Balian beach, just like most beaches in the area, is a black sand beach. This beach is surrounded by green cliffs and is a very quiet beach. The biggest attraction of Balian are the big waves which are ideal for surfing.
Pigstone Beach
Pigstone is another black beach in Tabanan which is also great for surfing. It is known for being one of the few beaches where you can go for a ride on the sand on your motorbike. At sunset, on Pigstone beach you will see many motorcycle lovers riding around on the black sand.
Pasut Beach
Pasut Beach is also a black sand beach and is well known for a photogenic bent palm tree that is the subject of many Instagram pictures. On this beach you can also go for motorbike rides and the sunsets are breathtaking.
Sangeh Monkey Forest
Ubud‘s famous Monkey Forest is not the only monkey forest in Bali. In fact there are two in Tabanan and Sangeh Monkey Forest is one of them. The long-tailed macaques of Sangeh Monkey Forest act as guardians of the Bukit Sari temple located in the heart of the forest.
Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest
Alas Kedaton is a small forest located in the middle of the rice fields in Tabanan regency. Inside the forest there is a temple called Alas Kedaton which, like Bukit Sari, is guarded by long-tailed macaques.
Eka Karya Botanical Garden
Eka Karya Botanical Garden, or simply Bali Botanical Garden, is located near the Beratan Lake and is the biggest botanical garden in all Indonesia. On its 157 hectares, this garden houses more than 20.000 plants of 2.000 different species. The Bali Botanical Garden has several themed gardens such as a rose garden, an orchid garden, a collection of begonias and a cactus greenhouse among others.
Bali Butterfly Park
Bali Butterfly Park is the largest butterfly park in Asia and covers an area of 3.000 square meters. This park is dedicated to butterfly conservation and is home to hundreds of butterflies, including some rare species. Besides butterflies, other insects such as scorpions, stick insects, spiders and beetles can be seen in the park.
Subak Museum
Subak Museum is a museum dedicated to the famous non-mechanized irrigation system called subak which has been used in Bali since the year 600. The subak system is used on the rice terraces and consists of watering the terrace above and the water coming down to irrigate all the terraces in its way. This system is so ingenious that UNESCO has declared it a cultural heritage.
