With its rich religious traditions, art and culture,
stunning scenery and holistic healing, Bali is a global favorite
Travelers come in droves to Bali for its endless charm, be it the rice paddies, the scenic beaches, the historical and cultural temples of the gods, the enchanting rituals, or an unforgettable journey of yoga and meditation…
The natural beauty
North of Ubud, the 600 hectares of Jatiluwih terraces stretch from the foothills to the coast and are quite spectacular. This is the largest terraced rice field in Bali. Billy’s Terrace Café at the top of the hill boasts the best view of the terraces, with the Agung volcano to the east as a backdrop and the coconut palms and terraces all around.
Located at the junction of the three tectonic plates of Asia and Europe, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Bali has a number of volcanoes that offer good options for hiking and sightseeing. Mount Agung and Mount Batur are the highest and second highest volcanoes on Bali. While the views from afar are unique, the hike to the summit offers unparalleled scenery. The former is rugged and steep, with a densely forested hillside, and is suitable for experienced climbers. The latter is smoother, with good visibility, and is suitable for novices. Mount Agung is home to one of Bali’s old and large Hindu temple complexes, which can be visited along the way. Lake Batur is nestled next to the Mount Batur and is often surrounded by clouds and mist.
The central part of Bali is covered in dense rainforest, the lush foliage of which takes you into the deepest depths of natural tranquility. Buyan and Tamblingan Lake, at the foot of the Bratan volcano, were formed by the rainwater that collected over the years in the crater after the volcano erupted. The air is fresh and the sky are beautifully reflected in the lake. In the evening, the mist from the mountains falls slowly and the whole area becomes a dreamlike wonderland.
Beyond the lakes, Bali is also home to hundreds of stunning waterfalls of varying sizes and features. Going into the forest, trekking down rugged trails and stepping into lush valleys to find these hidden natural wonders is one of the best ways to discover Bali. The water cascades down to form clear plunging pools at the riverbed. The larger ones, such as Sekumpul Falls and Tegunungan Falls, tower over you and make you feel small. Smaller ones, such as Git Git Waterfall and Niagara Waterfall, are more secluded and tucked away in the jungle vegetation.
As a tropical island, Bali has no shortage of beaches, many of which rank among the world’s most beautiful, especially those in the Kuta, Seminyang and Nusa Dua areas, which offer great spots for sunbathing and water sports of all kinds. Bali’s southern peninsula features idyllic blue waters with white sandy beaches. The Uluwatu region has a spectacular coastline and stunning cliff beaches. Surfers’ favorites include Suluban, Bingin and Padang beaches. Padang Beach on the Bukit Peninsula in the south was the setting for the film “Food, Prayer and Love”. The beaches in the Nusa Dua and Sanur areas are quieter and more family-friendly. In some parts of south-western and eastern Bali, there are also very special black sand beaches. The sand is in fact a mixture of volcanic minerals, such beaches include Nyanyi Beach, Kedungu Beach, Cemagi Beach and Kusumba Beach. At Kusumba Beach, you can find traditional Balinese salt farmers hard at work making sun-dried sea salt.
Culture and tradition
Most Balinese follow the Agama Hindu religion which influences every aspect of local culture, tradition and life and attracts many travelers to experience it. The Balinese believe that there is a spirit in all things.
For thousands of years, daily rituals have been a part of local life. There are over 20,000 Hindu temples in Bali, dedicated to different gods and performing their own rituals. For example, the Pura Tirta has a Melukat purification ceremony using water to cleanse the mind, body and soul. Participants are immersed in a sacred pool in the temple, blessed by a Balinese Hindu priest, and offerings are made by the participants. There are also temples built in very unusual locations. It is said that the builders of these temples felt a strong spiritual move at a particular location and worshipped the gods there. The Uluwatu Temple, for example, is perched high on the edge of a cliff, hundreds of meters above the rushing waves of the Indian Ocean. Then there is Besakih Temple, the oldest and largest Hindu temple complex in Bali, located at the southern foot of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest mountain. Other temples are used for community or family members to gather, celebrate festivals and so on, and have become part of traditional Balinese culture. These temples for worship often have a very distinctive architectural appearance. There is a strict dress code for going inside the temples: clothing must cover the knees and shoulders. However, most temples have sarong for rent.
For the Balinese, establishing a harmonious connection with the gods, with others and with nature is a vital thing, and this philosophy influences their daily lifestyle, architecture, and farming practices. Special ceremonies are held at every important event in their lives, such as birth, maturity, marriage and death. Also ceremonies are held on special festivals, such as Nyepi, Galungan, Kuningan, etc. On Nyepi, the whole island is quiet for 24 hours, with shops closed and residents sitting at home, not working or cooking. There are two important ceremonies that precede the day, the first being the Melasti cleansing ceremony, when worshippers line up to clean the statues and objects in the temple. This is followed by the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, in which the Ogoh Ogoh, a traditional sculpture made of bamboo, wood and paper and symbolising the devil, is paraded through the streets, before being finally burnt. Other rituals are associated with natural phenomena, such as the day of the full moon. Through these rituals, people further deepen their connection to their gods, ancestors, family members and community members.
Experiences unique in Bali
Ubud sightseeing
Ubud is not only idyllic, it is also the artistic and cultural center of Bali. Surrounded by spectacular rice paddies and steep gorges, the city is home to a variety of craft shops, galleries and museums.
Despite its name, the Grand Palace in Ubud is not very large, but the building is exquisite, with a garden-like interior and a unique Balinese feel, and traditional dance performances every evening.
Hundreds of playful monkeys live in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary near Ubud. Be extra careful when interacting with them – the mischievous monkeys may just take your glasses and hat off. There are hiking trails in the park, which are a great option for immersing yourself in nature.
Bali has a long-standing reputation for rafting, and Ayung River attracts a large number of travelers who seek such experience. The rafting course is about 11km long and is lined with lush rainforests, terraced rice fields and coconut palms.
Alas Harum, 20 minutes from Ubud, is a coffee plantation where you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the fields and sip a cup of freshly brewed coffee. By the way, the popular swing which overwhelms the Instagram is here.
Bali’s traditional markets
Bali is home to a variety of markets, large and small, where you can not only shop for goods and food, but also immerse yourself in Bali’s vibrant culture and arts.
Ubud Art Market: Located in the center of Ubud, it sells all kinds of traditional clothing, wood carvings, jewelry and paintings.
Sukawati Art Market: Located in Sukawadi village, it presents Bali’s unique batik fabric.
Kuta Art Market: Located in the popular scenic area of Kuta, there is a range of wood carvings, paintings and souvenirs available for purchase.
Sanur Night Market: There is a collection of Balinese street food, including satay the grilled meat satay, seafood, traditional Balinese desserts and more.
Gianyar Night Market: A great place to try traditional Balinese food such as babi guling (roast suckling pig), sate lilit (grilled minced meat on a bamboo stick), and nasi campur (rice with mixed dishes).
Pasar Badung: It’s a large market in Denpasar that sells a variety of fresh produce, spices, food, as well as handicrafts and textile clothing.
Plant-based gourmet experience
A special feature of the Balinese culinary experience is the variety of vegetarian restaurants and cafes that serve delicious and nutritious plant-based cuisine made from organically grown, locally harvested ingredients. Some well-known Balinese vegetarian restaurants include Earth Cafe, Alchemy, and Zula Vegetarian Paradise. Some wellness centers and resorts also offer good organic dining. In Kangu, the Alkaline restaurant at the Serenity Eco Guesthouse offers healthy options including kombucha tea, kefir milk wine, homemade jams, vegan cookies and other healthy meals. The organic vegetarian restaurant at Samadi Villa Resort, adjacent to the beach, is certified by the Slow Food Movement, with signature superfood juices, traditional Indian dishes, Ayurveda and raw food dishes. Fresh produce of all kinds can also be sampled at some of the farmers’ markets. There will also be farmers’ homemade jams, breads, cheeses and more.
Visiting a Balian
Balian is a traditional Balinese healer, an image that should ring a bell with readers who have seen the movie “Food, Prayer and Love”. Balian is said to have the spiritual power to heal physical and spiritual ailments and remove negative energies from the body, giving help to patients from releasing stress and relieving pain to healing a broken heart. Balians have mastered the ancient Balinese art of healing through their long study of the ancient Lontar, a collection of thousands of texts written in the ancient Kawi language, covering everything from ethics, anatomy, traditional herbalism, meditation, yoga, and tantra philosophy.
Balians are highly respected in Balinese society, so visiting Balinese as a traveler is a serious matter and not as casual as hitting the tourist spots. After all, Balians are there for those who really need healing.
Herbal remedies are an important part of traditional Balinese healing. Two of the most common forms are Loloh: different herbs are crushed and added to water for the patient to drink, and Boreh: herbs are crushed and applied to the skin.
The entire Balians’ treatment process is completely public, and other guests will watch you receive the treatment. In addition to the herbal treatments mentioned above, Balians will sometimes create flames, do the Madeira dance, draw special symbols on your body, or even poke you with a sharp branch, perform a deep tissue massage or something that makes you feel very painful. The vast majority of people will scream out loud, but after this, many report greatly improved health.
Many hotels in Bali offer the service of booking Balians for their guests.
Yoga and meditation
Bali is home to the world’s top yoga and meditation masters, with yoga/meditation resorts, wellness centers, and workshops all over the island, making it a popular destination for yoga enthusiasts.
These yoga centers are often located in beautiful places, surrounded by tropical jungle, rice paddies and the sea, providing the ideal environment for healing. All forms and levels of yoga and meditation practices can be experienced, such as hatha yoga, flow yoga, ashtanga, yin yoga, etc., for yoga practitioners of all levels and preferences.
Yoga centers and resorts customize all kinds of retreat programs, from short weekend experiences to immersion programs that last for weeks and months, with packages that include accommodations, meals, and other wellness activities such as spa treatments and massages. A variety of yoga and meditation workshops, festivals, and large-scale events are also held throughout the year, providing great opportunities for like-minded people to interact with each other. From the rice fields and jungles of Ubud to the seaside of Kangu, you can pick any yoga resort destination of your choice.
The Yoga Barn: traditional experiences and vegetarian dining
Located in the heart of Ubud, The Yoga Barn is an oasis of tranquility offering an integrated healing, wellness and community experience. The resort has seven yoga studios offering more than 130 weekly yoga, meditation and dance classes, as well as Ayurveda, singing bowls, sound baths and other treatments. Delicious vegetarian dining is available at the Garden Kafe restaurant.
Fivelements: luxury meets wellness
In addition to luxurious accommodations and services, Fivelements’ healing program incorporates elements of Balinese ritual, culture, and tradition. So, being here is not only a wellness experience, but also a cultural and spiritual journey. Different themed packages are available: rejuvenation, detoxification and purification, nutritious meals, etc., all with different focuses to help guests regain a balanced and healthy state of mind and body.
Bali Eco Stay: sustainable wellness retreat
Winding its way through lush green rice paddies, Bali Eco Stay, nestled on the slopes of Tabanan, is a paradise featuring yoga, meditation and other positive healing therapies. Rooms are designed to blend in with nature. In addition to yoga classes, regular wellness seminars are held in the yoga studio. Most of the food at the resort comes from its own garden.
Samadi Bali: personalized yoga experience
At Samadi, you will have your own personalized life coach, chakra balancer, craniosacral therapist, physical activity instructor and spiritual food artist. Located in the heart of the popular surfing area of Kangu, next to Echo Beach, the resort offers yoga classes and other body and mind therapies for all levels of healing and renewal.
Desa Seni: embrace the local culture
The idyllic resort Desa Seni has a fantastic tropical yoga studio where passionate masters offer different kinds of yoga and meditation classes, plus the resort hosts a variety of workshops and events that allow guests to delve into Balinese culture, traditions and art. The resort also features a spa, an organic farm and a restaurant.
Shambala Oceanside Retreat and Spa: moving and static
This is a good choice for guests who like adventure and love the beach. Situated on the northern tip of Bali, Shambala overlooks the gentle waves of the north shore. In addition to daily yoga and meditation practices, get out of the resort to seek out hidden waterfalls, explore the reefs and swim with dolphins.
Things to note when travelling Bali
Bali now has close economic ties with China and more and more Chinese tourists have been coming to Bali in recent years. According to the Bali Tourism Office, Chinese tourists rank second in the number of foreign tourists received in Bali, only after Australia. In addition to tourism, many Chinese companies have invested in infrastructure projects in Bali, including a new airport in northern Bali; a high-speed rail line connecting Bali, Java and the rest of Indonesia.
When traveling in Bali, there are also a few things to keep in mind to show respect for the local culture and traditions.
Religious customs: Bali is predominantly Hindu and visitors should respect the local religious customs and traditions. When visiting temples, dress appropriately and take off your shoes before entering. Do not step on offerings or point your feet at religious objects.
Etiquette: Most Balinese are very friendly and hospitable, and visitors should be polite and respectful in their dealings. Do not shout or show anger in public.
Protect the environment: Bali’s natural beauty is the main attraction for tourists, so visitors should be aware of the impact of their actions on the environment. Avoid littering, use environmentally friendly products, and conserve water.
Traffic safety: Bali’s roads are relatively crowded and chaotic, so visitors should pay close attention to safety when crossing the road or riding a motorcycle. Be sure to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle and be familiar with local traffic laws.
