Ubud is a town in central Bali, Indonesia. Ubud is a favourite traveler’s destination in Bali and is famous as a centre of Balinese culture, arts and crafts.

Ubud can be described as a magical, wonderful, cultural center. Above all, it is famous as an arts and crafts hub. Much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists’ workshops and galleries, mostly retailing cheap reproductions for tourists. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed thanks to the spirit, surroundings and climate.

While Ubud seems to outsiders like one small town, it is in fact 14 villages, each run by its own banjar. Ubud has grown rapidly and some central parts are coping less well with the influx of tourists than others. That said, most development is sympathetic to the zeitgeist, if not designed specifically in the local style. Growth is continuing but there are still terraced rice fields along the rivers and regular, quiet village life carries on relatively undisturbed.

Due to its location 600 metres above sea level, Ubud enjoys somewhat cooler temperatures than the coast (sometimes necessary to bring a pullover for the evening), although the midday sun can still be scorching, and the humidity usually relentless.

Orientation

Orienting yourself in Ubud is fairly straightforward. The town sprawls for several kilometres in all directions, with all of the small villages within a 5km radius of the central market being loosely referred to as “Ubud.” If you choose a reasonably central place to stay, it is easy enough to get around on foot.

Central Ubud has three main streets: Jl Raya Ubud (the main road) Ubud), Jl Monkey Forest and Jl Hanoman. At the intersection of Jl Raya and Jl Monkey Forest is the Ubud Market, the Ubud Palace and the main bemo stop.

Jl Monkey Forest which runs south through town to the Monkey Forest is the most built up area and home to a wide array of accommodation, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and cafes as well a number of local services (schools, sports field, pharmacies, travel agents, etc). Jl Hanoman, which runs parallel to Jl Monkey Forest, is a bit quieter and makes for more pleasant walking.

To the immediate west and northwest are the villages of Campuhan and Kedewatan, home to some of the most upmarket hotels in the whole of Bali with views over the valleys sculpted by the the Ayung and Wos rivers.

Directly to the south, past the Monkey Forest and still within a half hour walk of the central market, is Padang Tegal which then runs into the southern villages of Nyuh Kuning and Pengosekan, about 3 km from central Ubud. Directly to the east is the village of Peliatan and then Teges and Bedulu, home of Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave).

Balinese Dance Peformance

During the 2009 Conde Nast Traveler (a travel magazine published by the United States) quietly and without publicity has conducted an assessment of tourist locations in Asia and the results announced at the travel magazine in the January 2010 edition has been put ubud as most favorite tourist attractions in Asia surpassed 8 other attractions in asia like Bankok, Hong Kong, Chiangmai, Kyoto, Singapore, Shanghai, Jaipur and Tokyo.

As a village, Ubud has been able to make itself as an international village. Various kinds of art, culture, no traditions, and unique characteristics of communities and geographical areas are able to make this place became a favorite place to be visited by tourists abroad.This visit is like a drug Ubud tranquility for its visitors. This is as reinforce the inherent philosophy of this ubud name. Palm based historical look Markandya Purana, Ubud own names transcribed from the word “ubad” (drugs). This is which is the basis and guidelines for leaders and the entire community to make Ubud as a drug in search of peace and inspiration to everyone who came to this village.

Potential benefits of territory, customs, culture, art and community characteristics Ubud became one of the Ubud attraction to visit and continue to differentiate it from other regions in tourism, cultural tourism to promote Ubud, which directed the development of tourism and the preservation of local culture imbued with Balinese Hinduism as part of the national culture. Besides supported by the geographical conditions / areas, such as terracing rice field, Monkey forest area, Puri Ubud and Ubud market, as well as museums and art shop, art life of the community is the main attraction. Show art ranging from the art of dance, painting, gambelan can be witnessed at any time.

It is not wrong if the Conde Nast TRAVELER magazine this puts ubud as the most favorite tourist attractions in Asia, much more recently the area became a place for EAT PRAY LOVE movie starring Julia Robert is able to better raise the image of the Ubud area itself.

The Bali Spirit Festival embodies the core mantra of Balinese Hinduism – Tri Hita Karana – to live in harmony with our spiritual, social, and natural environments.

Through the traditions of yoga, dance, healing and world music, the BaliSpirit Festival attracts over 7000 people from all over the world every year. The 5-day, 7-night Festival offers you a wide range of events to choose from between 8am – 11pm each day over 1 week, from March 19th – 26th 2017.

During that festival, get the best friendly budget rooms in Danasari Accommodation. Show your BaliSpirit Festival ticket to us and get 20% discount. Book now at reservation@danasari.com

Nyepi is a Balinese “Day of Silence” that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar. This year, the Nyepi Day falls on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 (Saka New Year 1939) is different from most holidays. The new year is usually synonymous with crowds, parties and celebrations, but during Nyepi just the opposite.

That day, Hindus carry four restrictions called Catur Brata Penyepian.
1. Amati geni : no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low)
2. Amati karya : no working
3. Amati lelungan : no traveling
4. Amati lelanguan : no entertainment or pleasure, and, for some, no talking or eating at all

Many tourists avoid visiting Bali during Nyepi. But few people would choose to visit Bali during Nyepi because it gives a different experience of Bali.
There is a variety of exciting activities ahead of, during and after Nyepi.

1. Melasti
Two days before Nyepi, the Hindu Melasti ceremony. Melasti is a Balinese Hindu purification ceremony and ritual. In this ceremony, Balinese Hindus will conduct prayer at sea. Various means of worship paraded from the temple to the coast.

In the south of Bali, one of the beaches that can be visited to see this procession is the Sanur Beach. On the east side of Bali, you can stop by the beach Candidasa or Klotok Beach.

2. Tawur Kesanga
One day before Nyepi called Tawur Kesanga or mecaru. In this day also took place Ngerupuk identical with ogoh-ogoh parade. Ubud, Bali into the right area to watch the parade of ogoh-ogoh. For one day before Nyepi, usually held ogoh-ogoh festival. Ogoh-ogoh itself is a giant puppets made of papier-mache and bamboo frame. Because of its size, ogoh-ogoh be lifted abuzz.

3. Nyepi, day of silence
Nyepi conducted 24 hours, usually starting at 06.00 am to 06.00 am the next day. Hindus perform four taboos that can not be engaged, not be out of the house, can not be entertained, and not light a fire.

Can not get out or walking trails are rules that must be obeyed by travelers during a visit to Bali on Nyepi Day. Do not worry, the hotel usually has set up activities like yoga. Also plan for a full day of activities.

On Nyepi day tourists can enjoy a rare moment, a look at the stars in the sky with the naked eye at night. There is no pollution during one full day Bali make the night sky bright, clean air, and create a magical atmosphere.

4. Ngembak geni
One day after Nyepi is called Ngembak Geni. Bali residents to stay in touch with relatives. One tradition that exclamation Day Ngembak Geni is the ritual of Med-Medan or also known as Omed-Omedan.

Go into the village Sesetan in Denpasar, tourists can see a young Balinese alternately kissing. The procession was so crowded and hectic. Although impressed by the vibrant, local residents view it as a sacred ritual to refuse reinforcements which has been run for generations.