Subak Sembung: An Eco-Tourism Paradise and Running Haven Amidst the Rice Fields of Denpasar

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Running enthusiasts won’t want to miss this destination. Subak Sembung, also known as Uma Pala, is a must-visit spot for those who love jogging in a scenic environment. Located on Jalan Ahmad Yani in the village of Peguyangan, North Denpasar, this subak (traditional irrigation system) offers a refreshing experience with its lush rice fields and fresh air. The narrow pathways through the paddies are paved with concrete, spanning about 1 kilometer in length and 2 meters wide. A clear water canal runs alongside the path, irrigating the rice fields.

Subak Sembung has become a popular ecotourism destination for international delegates, making it a gem to explore in North Denpasar. Spanning 11 hectares, this area allows visitors to see firsthand how traditional subak systems are utilized as a form of sustainable tourism. If you’re lucky, you might get to chat with some of the 200 local farmers who work daily to preserve this subak amidst the threat of land conversion.

Despite being a tourist attraction, the farmers at Subak Sembung continue their agricultural activities as usual. Several bale bengong (gazebos) are placed along the path, providing visitors with a place to rest and enjoy the stunning green scenery. The farmers here no longer use chemical fertilizers, opting instead for organic methods, in line with the subak’s traditional regulations (awig-awig) that forbid converting paddy fields for other uses.

Subak Sembung Ecotourism is a testament to the harmonious coexistence of agriculture and tourism. At this subak, visitors can also sample traditional snacks sold by locals near the entrance and parking area. Speaking of which, ample parking is available, so there’s no need to worry about where to leave your vehicle. For those who prefer to avoid the heat, it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon before sunset. You’re sure to fall in love with the charm and beauty of Subak Sembung, also known as Uma Sari.

The Spiritual Charm of Pura Luhur Candi Narmada Tanah Kilap: A Blend of History and Prosperity at the Estuary of Tukad Badung

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Pura Luhur Candi Narmada Tanah Kilap is not only a place of worship for Hindus but also a fascinating religious tourism destination in Denpasar. For those seeking tranquility infused with a spiritual aura, this temple, surrounded by the estuary, is well worth a visit.

Located at the border between Badung Regency and Denpasar City, specifically at the estuary of Tukad Badung on Jalan Bypass I Gusti Ngurah Rai Denpasar, the temple is believed to be the dwelling place of Ida Ratu Bhatari Nihang Sakti, the Goddess of Prosperity. As a place to seek prosperity, this temple is never short of visitors. It is also a destination for traders and fishermen who come to pray for prosperity.

According to IB Made Sudana, the temple priest, before it stood in its current grandeur, Pura Luhur Tanah Kilap existed as a humble shrine. "The history of this temple is recorded in ancient manuscripts found at Griya Gede Gunung Beau Muncan in Karangasem," he explained.

As for the history of this temple, as told by Sudana, during the reign of the Bandana Raja kingdom, on the southern coast of the island of Bali there lived a Bendega (fisherman) named Pan Santeng, who lived daily from his activities as a fisherman at the mouth of a river facing the sea. South Bali. One day, while at sea, it turned out that Pan Santeng had no results at all, and this incident went on for three consecutive days.

Finally on the third day, finally Pan Santeng said his masesangi (vow) promise, if he got fish, he would give pekelem and his prayer was answered.

"Thus, Pan Santeng built a shrine on the rocky outcrop and, with unwavering devotion, he offered prayers at the shrine every day as his catch continued to increase," Sudana added.

Until one day, Pan Santeng received word that the shrine was the residence of Ida Brahma Putri from Patni Keniten named Ida Ayu Ngurah Saraswati Swabhawa.

Such is the essence of the history of Pura Luhur Candi Narmada and that temple for centuries remained in the form of a simple stone shrine on a rock, until finally it was continued by Sudana in 1958 when a mother from Kuta received a gift to build a grand studio in the Pelinggih Ratu Niang Sakti area.

Akhirnya sanggar agung dibangun, dan lambat lain pelinggih tersebut semakin banyak dikunjungi masyarakat dari seluruh Kota Denpasar maupun dari luar Denpasar. “Terutama oleh para pedagang dan nelayan, pura ini menjadi tempat untuk memohon anugrah,” lanjutnya.

Along with the times, slowly, the construction of the Luhur Tanah Kilap temple is growing with several buildings and other buildings starting from Bale Kulkul, Pelinggih Ratu Gede Bendega, Gelung Kuri and Pelatasan, Pelinggih Padmasana, Pelinggih Meru and Negara Segara, Pelinggih Ada Rambut Sedana, Pelinggih Penglurah, Pelinggih Bhatara Wisnu, Pelinggih Ratu Bagus, Pelinggih Jineng, Pelinggih Bhatari Niang Sakti, Gedong Simpen and Telaga Waja and Bale Peselang.

Sudana said the pelinggih was in the main Mandala Pura Luhur Tanah Kilap. Meanwhile, in the Palembang area, there are two other shrines, namely the Bhatara Dalem Ped Junction Temple which is located to the east and Taman Temple and Tapa Gni which are located to the west. The existing shrines and pretense are one unit in Pura Luhur Candi Narmada Tanah Kilap.

Exploring Time at Kebon Vintage Cars: A Paradise for Classic Car Enthusiasts in Denpasar

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This destination is a dream come true for classic car enthusiasts. Don’t think that Denpasar has no attractions for vintage car lovers. At Kebon Vintage Cars, your thirst for classic automobiles from around the world will be more than satisfied. Over 100 classic cars from various eras are on display here.

Some of the standout models you’ll find include the 1991 Volvo 960 Limousine, the 1953 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine, the 1949-1952 Austin A90 Atlantic, and even a 1924 Dodge Brothers Special Series 116 Four Door. These vintage vehicles are meticulously arranged and accessible for visitors to admire up close.

One of the highlights is a 1948 Plymouth Hudson Hornet, which bears the registration of none other than Fatmawati, the wife of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno. Some of the cars on display are still operational and can be used for special events.

One of the highlights is a 1948 Plymouth Hudson Hornet, which bears the registration of none other than Fatmawati, the wife of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno. Some of the cars on display are still operational and can be used for special events.

Initially, this place was just a private garage for the owner’s collection. However, during the pandemic, Jos decided to open it up to the public. Since then, many visitors have come to admire the antique car collection at Kebon Vintage Cars. And there’s no need to worry about refreshments—there are food and drink services available for visitors.

Tracing Historical Footsteps at Puri Pemecutan: A Legacy of Bali's Struggle Against Colonizers

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Puri Agung Pemecutan merupakan salah satu puri atau keraton kerajaan Bali yang masih berdiri hingga sampai saat ini. Pemecutan berasal dari kata pecut/cambuk sehingga sering dikaitkan dengan pecut/cambuk. Dahulunya Puri Agung Pemecutan Kuno dilalap kobaran api pada tanggal 20 September 1906 atas perintah Raja Gusti Ngurah Pemecutan yang bergelar Ida Cokorda Pemecutan IX saat memimpin rakyat bali turun ke medan perang untuk memperjuangkan tanah airnya yang dikenal dengan Perang Puputan Badung. Walaupun dengan semangat yang membara, Raja bersama rakyatnya akhirnya gugur dalam perang dengan latar belakang puri terbakar di belakangnya. Untuk mengenang beliau telah dibuat monumen Ida Cokorda Pemecutan IX diperempatan jalan Puri Agung Pemecutan

Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan X

Ida Meparab Anak Agung Sagung Adi

Anak Agung Ngurah Gede Lanang Pemecutan

Setelah Perang Puputan Badung, terjadi kekosongan pemerintahan terjadi di Puri Agung Pemecutan. Dikarenakan Ida Cokorda Pemecutan IX tidak memiliki keturunan laki-laki dan hanya memiliki seorang putri yaitu Ida Meparab Anak Agung Sagung Adi, kemudian atas prakarsa keluarga besar Puri Agung Pemecutan dan Warga Ageng Pemecutan dan untuk melestarikan budaya leluhur terdahulu, maka diangkatlah keponakannya I Gusti Ngurah Gde Pemecutan/ Kyahi Ngurah Gde Pemecutan untuk menjadi Raja Pemecutan yang kemudian bergelar Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan X serta kakak beliau dari lain ibu yang Bernama Ida Anak Agung Gede Lanang Pemecutan sebagai wakilnya. Beliau sebagai kakak beradik menampakan kehidupan yang rukun dan selalu mengutamakan musyawarah mufakat dalam penyelesaian masalah sehingga masyarakat sangat segan kepada mereka.

Dikarenakan Puri Agung Pemecutan Kuno sudah hancur dan hanya menyisakan Bale Kulkul di sebelah selatan Puri Agung Pemecutan Kuno, maka Jero Kanginan yang berada tepat didepan Puri Agung Pemecutan Kuno direhab menjadi Puri Agung Pemecutan yang baru, beralamat di Jalan Thamrin Nomor 2 Denpasar. Sampai saat ini Puri Agung Pemecutan masih dijaga keaslian dan kesakralannya serta menjadi tempat tinggal bagi keturunan Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan X dan Ida Anak Agung Gede Lanang Pemecutan. Sehingga menjadikan Puri Agung Pemecutan yang berada di Pusat Kota Denpasar sebagai salah satu cagar budaya yang patut untuk dilestarikan.

Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan X

Di Puri Agung Pemecutan terdapat beberapa bangunan yang memiliki fungsi dan manfaat masing-masing. Puri Agung Pemecutan sendiri terdiri dari 3 bagian utama yaitu:

Utama Mandala, Madya Mandala dan Nista Mandala.

Nista Mandala

Nista Mandala adalah bagian terluar dari Puri disebut juga sebagai “jaba puri” terdapat bangunan sebagai pemisah antara Madya Mandala dan Nista Mandala yaitu Kori Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan. 

Merupakan gerbang utama yang terdiri dari 1 pintu utama yang terletak di tengah-tengah dan 2 “betel”. Pintu utama hanya dipergunakan saat diadakan upacara adat dan keagamaan, dan disakralkan oleh keluarga Puri Agung Pemecutan, sedangkan 2 “betel” dipergunakan untuk melakukan kegiatan sehari-hari.

Di pojokan barat daya jaba puri terdapat Bale Bengong, yang dipergunakan oleh keluarga Puri Agung Pemecutan untuk memantau kegiatan masyarakat disekitaran Puri Agung Pemecutan. Terdapat kulkul yang dahulunya dipergunakan sebagai sarana berkomunikasi dengan masyarakat.

Selain itu pada Barat laut terdapat Bale Kulkul Puri Agung Pemecutan yang baru. Bale kulkul ini dipergunakan sebagai sarana komunikasi pada masyarakat di sekitar Puri. Bale kulkul ini khusus dipergunakan untuk memberi tahu kepada masyarakat bahwa adanya pelaksanaan kegiatan di Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan.

Tepat di depan Bale Kulkul, terdapat Kori Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan sebagai tempat masuk bagi masyarakat dari luar Keluarga Puri untuk melaksanakan persembahyangan di Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan yang terletak di areal Utama Mandala

Madya Mandala

Madya Mandala

Madya Mandala adalah bagian tengah dari Puri, areal ini merupakan areal dimana kegiatan sehari-hari biasa dilakukan oleh keluarga Puri Agung Pemecutan. Menjadi tempat tinggal keluarga Puri, madya mandala Puri Agung Pemecutan dibagi menjadi 2 bagian yaitu saren daje dan saren delod, yang dimana saren daje ditempati oleh keluarga Ida Anak Agung Ngurah Gede Lanang Pemecutan dan saren delod yang ditempati oleh keluarga Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan. Saren daje berarti kamar di sebelah utara dan saren delod berarti kamar di sebelah selatan.

Dibagian paling selatan areal madya mandala terdapat Bale Lantang yang berarti Bale yang Panjang, dipergunakan multifungsi seperti untuk menerima tamu, pelatihan tari dan gambelan, atau pelaksanaan kegiatan yang tidak ada hubungannya dengan kegiatan adat ataupun keagamaan. 

Pada Tahun 1970an hingga 1990an, atas tingginya antusiasme wisatawan pada saat itu agar bisa menginap di Puri Agung Pemecutan, maka Bale Lantang ini dimultifungsikan sebagai hotel, sehingga sebagaian bale ini sudah menjadi kamar hotel dan sebagian dipergunakan sebagai lobi hotel, namun seiiring berkembangnya jaman, hotel di Puri Agung Pemecutan kalah saing dengan kompetitor sehingga hotel pada saat ini tidak berfungsi.

Dibagian paling selatan areal madya mandala terdapat Bale Lantang yang berarti Bale yang Panjang, dipergunakan multifungsi seperti untuk menerima tamu, pelatihan tari dan gambelan, atau pelaksanaan kegiatan yang tidak ada hubungannya dengan kegiatan adat ataupun keagamaan. 

Pada Tahun 1970an hingga 1990an, atas tingginya antusiasme wisatawan pada saat itu agar bisa menginap di Puri Agung Pemecutan, maka Bale Lantang ini dimultifungsikan sebagai hotel, sehingga sebagaian bale ini sudah menjadi kamar hotel dan sebagian dipergunakan sebagai lobi hotel, namun seiiring berkembangnya jaman, hotel di Puri Agung Pemecutan kalah saing dengan kompetitor sehingga hotel pada saat ini tidak berfungsi.

Ditengah areal ini terdapat Gedong Agung, yaitu sebagai tempat tinggal Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan X, setelah sepeninggalnya Ida Cokorda Ngurah Gde Pemecutan X, Bale ini dipergunakan oleh Keluarga Puri Agung Pemecutan untuk melaksanakan rapat dalam rangka persiapan kegiatan-kegiatan yang akan dilaksanakan di Puri Agung Pemecutan.

Sebelah barat Gedong Agung terdapat bale yang dipergunakan oleh keluarga Ida Anak Agung Gede Lanang Pemecutan tinggal, bale tersebut disambung dengan bangunan besar yang sekarang menjadi tempat tinggal anak cucu beliau.

Bagian paling utara di areal Madya Mandala adalah Bale Daje/Bale Bandung, seperti namanya “daje” berarti utara. Bale ini diperuntukan untuk anak gadis ataupun kepala keluarga. Di Puri Agung Pemecutan, bale ini ditempati oleh Parab Ida Anak Agung Sagung Adi. Ibu semasa hidupnya sebagai bentuk penghormatan kepada beliau. Sekarang sering dipergunakan untuk upacara “ngekeb”, yaitu upacara mengisolir anak gadis yang hendak menikah, “ngerajaswala” atau “mepandes”

Sebelah timur bale daje/bale bandung terdapat bale “dangin” yang berarti timur, bale ini difungsinkan sebagai tempat melanaksanakan upacara adat dan keagamaan yang berhubungan dengan manusa yadnya seperti pernikahan, “mepandes”, “otonan”, “ngerajaswala” dan lain – lain.

Disebelah selatan terdapat Bale murda/Bale Delod, yaitu bale yang dipergunakan untuk peletakan jenazah sambil menunggu hari baik untuk melaksanakan upacara “Ngaben” apabila ada keluarga dari Puri Agung Pemecutan meninggal dunia.

Sebelah barat terdapat bale “dauh”, dauh sendiri berarti barat. Bale ini dahulu dipergunakan sebagai tempat tidur untuk anak laki – laki, namun sekarang dipergunakan untuk menerima tamu pada saat upacara adat dan agama dilaksanakan.

Utama Mandala

Utama Mandala

Utama Mandala adalah bagian terdalam dari Puri disebut Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan, tempat keluarga puri melaksanakan persembahyangan dan berdoa kepada tuhan dan leluhurnya. Tempat ini merupakan tempat yang disucikan oleh keluarga Puri, bagi wanita yang sedang menstruasi tidak diperkenankan untuk memasuki areal ini.

Pemerajan Puri Agung Pemecutan memiliki beberapa “pelinggih”, pelinggih sendiri sebagai simbol pemujaan terhadap Dewa-Dewa tertentu, selain itu terdapat “pewaregan suci” atau dapur suci yang dipergunakan khusus untuk persiapan sarana upacara di Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan. Diatas Pewaregan terdapat “Jineng” sebagai tempat penyimpanan padi (lumbung)

Pada tembok Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan, terdapat ornamen ukiran kisah-kisah pewayangan yang menambahkan keunikan dari Pemerajan Puri Agung Pemecutan itu sendiri

Sempat mengalami kebakaran 11 pelinggih pada tanggal 11 Agustus 1995, Pemerajan Puri Agung Pemecutan sempat dipugar dan selesai pada tanggal 11 Agustus 1996 dan dilaksanakan Karya Memungkah Ngeteg Linggih pada Purnama Sasih Kelima Tanggal 26 November 1996. Kejadian ini dibuatkan Pracasti dan diletakan tepat di depan Kori Pemerajan Agung Puri Agung Pemecutan.

Big Garden Corner: A Photographer's Paradise and Instagrammable Spot in Sanur, Bali

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For photography enthusiasts and Instagram lovers, this spot should be on your list when exploring Bali’s capital city. Opened in 2016, Big Garden Corner started as a simple gallery showcasing stone sculptures.

True to its name, Big Garden Corner is situated at the intersection of Jalan Waribang and Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Padanggalak in Sanur. Spanning 2.5 hectares, this expansive garden offers numerous photo opportunities. Visitors can snap pictures against backdrops of megalithic stones, stone tables, large-scale statues, and colorful umbrella canopies.


One of the highlights is a 5-meter-high replica of the Borobudur temple. There’s also a small tree house, wooden pathways shaded by intertwining branches, and a butterfly garden home to over 100 species of butterflies.

The garden also features grassy areas, making it a perfect spot for families and couples to spend some quality time. There’s a restaurant and a children’s playground, making it an ideal destination for all ages. Located in the Sanur area, it’s a great stop on your way to explore East Bali.

Exploring Bali's History at the Bali Museum: The Oldest Cultural Collection in Denpasar

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Museum Bali is a legendary museum that many people pass by every day without realizing it. It is located on Jalan Mayor Wisnu, just east of Puputan Badung Field and south of Pura Jagatnatha. The museum was inaugurated on December 8, 1932, under the name Bali Museum and is managed by the Bali Museum Foundation.

Covering an area of 2,600 square meters, this museum is the oldest in Bali and has inspired the establishment of other museums. Based on its collections, the Bali Museum is an ethnographic museum that houses and displays cultural artifacts from prehistoric times to the present, reflecting all aspects of Balinese culture. Its collections include archaeological, historical, fine art, and ethnographic items.

If you want to learn about the history of Balinese cultural heritage, this museum is the perfect place to visit. You can see collections such as traditional dance costumes, various types of masks, wayang (puppets), keris (daggers), and a range of prehistoric artifacts that help you understand Balinese culture.

Initially established as an ethnographic museum by W.F.J. Kroon, the assistant resident for South Bali, in 1910, the museum was created to protect and preserve cultural artifacts. This idea was based on a proposal by Th.A. Resink and received positive responses from scholars, artists, cultural figures, and all the kings in Bali. Kroon then commissioned Kurt Gundler, a German architect in Bali, to collaborate with traditional Balinese builders (undagi) like I Gusti Ketut Rai and I Gusti Ketut Gede Kandel to plan the museum’s construction.

One of the unique features of this museum is its architecture, which adopts local culture based on the lontar (palm leaf manuscript) Asta Kosala-Kosali. The museum has three courtyards: the outer courtyard (jaba), the middle courtyard (jaba tengah), and the inner courtyard (jeroan), each separated by walls and gates (candi bentar and candi kurung) as entrances. There is also a Balai Kulkul (bell tower) in the southern part of the middle courtyard.

In the northwest corner stands a Balai Bengong, which was used during the royal era as a resting place for the royal family to observe the surroundings. In front of the Tabanan building, there is a Beji (bathing place for the royal family). The roofs are made of ijuk (coconut fiber), a material traditionally used only for temples in Bali. The inner courtyard features three main buildings to exhibit the museum's collections:

  1. Gedung Karangasem: with traditional East Bali architecture, showcasing Panca Yadnya collections.
  2. Gedung Tabanan: for displaying prehistoric, historical, and fine art collections.
  3. Gedung Buleleng: featuring North Bali architectural style, dedicated to traditional textile collections.
Come and discover the history of Bali by visiting the Bali Museum!

Great Temple Jagatnatha: A Starting Point for Exploring Denpasar, Rich in Spiritual and Historical Value

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If you’re looking to explore Denpasar’s city tour program, Pura Agung Jagatnatha is a perfect starting point to begin your journey around Bali's capital. More than just a place of worship, this grand temple attracts tourists with its stunning beauty and unique features.

Located on a popular tourist route, the temple is always bustling with visitors—both those coming to pray and those who simply want to admire its magnificence. It’s conveniently situated on Mayor Wisnu Street, right next to Puputan Badung Field and adjacent to the Bali Museum.

This great temple is open 24 hours to anyone who wishes to worship, including tourists. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Visitors must always show respect and refrain from disturbing Hindu devotees as they carry out their prayers and rituals within the temple.

This temple is the largest in Denpasar City. It was built facing west, toward Mount Agung, which is believed to be the home of the gods. Pura Agung Jagatnatha was constructed as a place of worship for Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Almighty God.

In March 2023, Pura Agung Jagatnatha underwent a renovation. The restoration included enhancements to various structures like the boundary walls, the main shrines, and several pavilions, using premium red stone from Tulikup, Gianyar. This has given the temple a dominant red hue, symbolizing Bhatara Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.

The renovation was undertaken to restore the temple’s architecture to the traditional Bebadungan style, which is distinctive to Denpasar. However, the Padmasana structure, with its historical significance, was preserved in its original form. With this restoration, the Denpasar City Government aims to ensure that Pura Agung Jagatnatha remains a strong and enduring symbol of Balinese spirituality for the next 100 years.

 

The Uniqueness of the Sidik Jari Museum in Denpasar: Exploring Finger Painting Art

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Here’s one of the unique museums in Denpasar that you won’t want to miss. As the name suggests, it might sound strange at first, but when you visit, you'll be amazed by the collections at this museum located at Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 175, Tanjung Bungkak.

The Fingerprint Museum showcases artistic works painted using a unique technique that involves creativity and imagination through fingertip dots of primary colors on canvas, resulting in stunning and spectacular artworks. The owner, Gede Ngurah Rai Pemecutan, is also the artist and the grandson of the National Hero from Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Rai.

This fingerprint painting technique was discovered accidentally while he was painting a Baris dance theme on July 9, 1967. However, the painting was never completed as he had hoped, which frustrated him. In an attempt to ruin the unfinished painting, he pressed his paint-covered fingers onto the canvas, sparking the idea to create paintings solely with his fingertips instead of using brushes.

The painting method developed by Gede Ngurah Rai Pemecutan earned him recognition from the Museum of Indonesian Records (MURI) as the pioneer of fingertip painting techniques and for having the largest collection of fingerprint paintings. The museum now houses 640 paintings created by him. His goal in establishing the Fingerprint Museum in Denpasar was to showcase a variety of his art collections and display his poetry written on stone.

At the Fingerprint Museum in Denpasar, visitors can not only view paintings and poetry but also delve into Balinese culture, particularly Balinese dance. The museum offers courses in Balinese dance, painting, and Balinese music taught by professional instructors. Isn’t it exciting to learn about the origins of the Fingerprint Museum? So, what are you waiting for? Visit this museum soon!

The Charm of Badung Traditional Market Murals: Transforming the Traditional Market with Modern Art Touches

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For art enthusiasts and social media aficionados, this spot is a must-visit: the Mural Market at Pasar Badung. Don’t think of it as just a place for buyers and sellers. Pasar Badung, the largest market in Bali, is adorned with vibrant murals scattered across its walls. These murals were created back in 2019, following a renovation due to a fire. You can find them everywhere—from the entrance gates, elevators, and kiosks, to waiting areas, and even in the bathrooms. 

If you’re not satisfied with the smaller artworks, head over to the east side of the market. Here, you'll find a colossal mural painted on a 308-square-meter wall canvas. The visuals are not only captivating but also carry messages encouraging people to take pride in shopping and trading at traditional markets, reimagined in a modern setting like Pasar Badung.

These creative embellishments aim to position Pasar Badung as an inspiration for traditional markets across Bali and even Indonesia. The murals were crafted by 30 young artists from the Bali School of Design (STD), in an effort to change the perception that traditional markets are just a place for transactions. At Pasar Badung, tourists are welcomed as well.

By the way, you can visit and capture the murals at any time, as the market is open 24 hours a day, except on the holy day of Nyepi. Being the largest market in Bali, Pasar Badung serves as the starting point for various goods distributed throughout the island. So, whether you're an early bird or a night owl, Pasar Badung's art awaits!

Kumbasari Art Market: An Affordable Hub for Balinese Art and Souvenirs

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Art enthusiasts must know about Kumbasari Art Market. Long before the famous souvenir centers emerged, this market was a must-visit destination for tourists seeking artistic souvenirs for their family and friends. To this day, Kumbasari Art Market remains vibrant and worth visiting.

It is located on the west side of the Badung Traditional Market, precisely in the Gajah Mada Heritage Area. The market is separated from Badung Market by the "Korea" River, Tukad Badung. Having undergone three phases of revitalization, this market is referred to as the only art market in Denpasar. Kumbasari Market was established in 1977, experienced a fire in 2000, and was renovated, reopening in 2001.

The building is quite spacious, covering an area of 6,230 square meters. It consists of five floors, with four floors designated for art product vendors. The remaining floor is allocated for vendors selling basic necessities and religious ceremony supplies.

On the second floor of Kumbasari Art Market, various types of clothing are sold, including traditional Balinese attire such as udeng, kain, and destar. Bed covers, beach sarongs, and various woven crafts from Bali are also available. The third floor features an array of paintings, sculptures, and Balinese ornaments like carvings, shoes, sandals, and women's bags. On the fourth floor, you can find various handicrafts and souvenirs made from shells, paper, and some crafts from outside Bali.

Not many people realize how vital this market is, as it serves as a wholesale center supplying products to art vendors in Sanur, Kuta, Canggu, and Ubud. Most locals are unaware of this because the majority of vendors here source directly from artisans in remote areas.

The range of crafts sold at Kumbasari Art Market is diverse, including brasswork, ceramics, glass, rattan, and wooden crafts. An important piece of information that tourists often overlook is the pricing. Don’t be surprised when shopping here; prices are significantly lower compared to souvenir centers. Since the products are sold wholesale, they are naturally much cheaper.

For those who know about these affordable prices, it’s worth a visit. Additionally, prices are negotiable, as is common in traditional markets. The location is also very accessible.