Sukawati Art Market

A trip to Bali will no doubt leave you with plenty of exceptional memories, be it soaking up spectacular beaches with pristine shores, spelunking into marvelously hidden caves, immersing ourselves in Balinese mesmerizing culture, or tapping toe in rhythm on the nightly dancefloor. However, it won’t be complete without buying physical mementos and knick-knacks to bring home – to reminisce bout the great time spent in Bali and share it with friends and family.

While there are many souvenir shops spotted almost everywhere on the island selling various accessories, crafts, and souvenirs, there isn’t a better choice than Sukawati Art Market! This most long-standing market has been a central attraction that domestic and international visitors of all ages flock to before going back home to buy some gifts and souvenirs with a solid touch of Baliness culture.

Explore the Colorful Nuance

Located on Jl. Raya Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali, Sukawati Art Market is one of the oldest art markets in Bali and a complete shopping destination for tourists wishing to bring home an extensive variety of Balinese items with affordable prices. If you stroll along the market, you will be able to explore the colorful nuance that emanates from the building architecture, bright-colored rows of paintings and other items sold in the market. There is a variety of unique Balinese handicrafts and items, ranging from weaving, paintings, jewelry, traditional knicks-knacks, accessories, handmade products to household and daily necessities.

To find any kind of clothes, sarongs, and traditional fabrics, you can explore the Ground Level section. All the items are displayed hanging from the ceilings and stacked in piles. At the back of the market, there is a variety of oils and aromatherapy with sundry types and colors to choose such as scented candles, incense sticks, and many more. Who knows, those aromatherapy will give you more zen once you get back home!

The products sold in Sukawati Art Market are sought after for its distinctiveness, uniqueness, top quality, and of course its affordable prices. All the items here are considered cheaper compared to those sold in other local markets.

The opening hours of the Sukawati Bali Art Market in Gianyar are divided into 2 groups of operational time. For the Art Market, the Sukawati Art Market starts to open from 10.00 – 17.00 and for the Local Market the Sukawati Art Market itself opens from 08.00 – 15.00.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall is probably the busiest and most famous waterfall in Bali, and it’s super easy to reach from Ubud or Sanur.

You can swim in the pool below the falls (if you’re careful), and there are some restaurants where you can sit and eat while enjoying the view.

I wouldn’t recommend Tegenungan if you’re looking for a secret waterfall with no crowds, but it’s still worth a visit just for the scenic views!This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!

Tegenungan Waterfall: What To Expect

Tegenungan Waterfall (also known as ‘Air Terjun Blangsinga’ in Indonesian) sits at the bottom of a steep ravine in the jungle.

It only takes about 15 minutes to hike down the steps to the waterfall, but the way back up is a good workout with a lot of humidity and uneven stone steps (the steps feel like they were made for giants!).

The waterfall is about 30 meters tall, and you can do some swimming in the pool below the falls. On a sunny day, you can even see a big rainbow sometimes.

Restaurants & Development

Just a heads up — you won’t find peace or tranquility here. Tegenungan waterfall is very overdeveloped and crowded with shops, restaurants, and tacky photo props. It’s turning into a bit of a tourist trap.

Most of the pictures of Tegenungan Waterfall in this travel guide were taken before it became overrun with tourists and all the new construction.

I hope someone in Bali will step in and give this place the cleanup and conservation it deserves; but in the meantime, it is what it is.

The bright side is that this is one of the easiest waterfalls to reach in Bali, and the scenery is still great!

When To Visit

The best time to visit is early in the morning, before the crowds arrive. Tegenungan gets very crowded by noon.

The waterfall is especially impressive during and after the rainy season, when it turns into a big 2-step cascade.

However, if you go in the middle of the rainy season (or after a big downpour) then the water may look like brown chocolate instead.

Batuan Temple

Batuan Temple Bali is a local Balinese Hindu temple looked after by the local resident of Batuan countryside. The temple is designed very beautiful with full of Balinese ornaments and the roof temple building is made from the fiber of chromatic black palm tree.

It is strategically located beside of the main road from Denpasar to Ubud. For over a thousand years, Batuan has been a village of artists and craftsmen, old legends and mysterious tales.

Batuan Temple Bali were founded in the year 944 isaka (1020 AD). Nearly 1000 years old. The Batuan Temple is a Puseh Temple category based on the concept of “Tri Kahyangan or Tri Murti” taught by Mpu Kuturan around the 10th century to the Balinese Hindu community at the time.

Tri Kahyangan or Tri Murti including 3 temples : 

• Desa or Village Temple as a place to worship of God Brahma (the Creator)
• Puseh Temple  to worship of God Vishnu (the Preserver)
• Dalem Temple  to worship of Lord Shiva (the Destroyer)

Batuan Temple History

The name “Batuan” or “Baturan” mentioned here prompts villagers to joke about being “tough as stone” or “eating rocks” as batu means “stone” in Balinese. But it likely refers to an ancient megalithic tradition in which standing stones served as meeting places and ceremonial sites for the worship of ancestral spirits. Because Batuan became a center from which Buddhist priests and brahmans spread to the main court centers of south Bali, the village has an unusual preponderance of brahman.

Local people are very concern about the care and preservation of the temple architecture and its environment. Not all existing buildings were old buildings here, there are some that have undergone renovation, renewal, and change from 10th century to 13th century and also 18th century AD.

The structure and foundation of this temple are very tough and strong. It has the original Balinese ornament that beautifully craved on every building at this temple area. Some ornaments are reflection of The Ramayana Epic story and every holy building has different function philosophically.

Batuan Temple Bali Area

At temple parking area, there is standing an ancient building called Wantilan, this place use as a meeting hall and to practice any kind of Balinese dances as Gambuh Dance, Pendet Dance, etc. Before you enter the temple there is some local people at Wantilan will lend you ‘kamben’ (a traditional Balinese costume). It is a must for you to wear ‘Balinese kamben’ to show your respect and honor about the holiness of “Puseh Temple of Batuan Village”.

It’s all free, you won’t be charged for entrance. However, the local people expect every tourist who visited to this temple can donate in any amount of money to support the maintenance of the temple. There is provided a simple donation box. Every donation that you give should be based on a sense of sincerity, where Balinese people know it is called “medana punia”.

In the middle yard of temple there is a long building / bale called the Bale Agung and Bale Kulkul (a gong mad by wood or bamboo).In this yard there is also a high entrance Balinese Gate called the Kori Agung, which is flanked by the many guardian statues shaped the giant sculpture. The function of Kori Agung is the door where the exit and entry for the gods symbolized by a small statue called Pratima. Next to the Kori Agung  there are two small doors as a place of exit and entry of people into the temple’s main yard.

In the main yard of the temple there are some three story Meru and Bale Pengiyasan as a symbol of the temple of Besakih, there is also a building called Padmasana as a place of worship to Sang Hyang Widhi, the only one Bali Hindu’s God.

Batuan Temple Bali is not only emitting a high spiritual vibration, but also representing the historical values. You can look inside there are many stunning ancient relics from prehistoric times.

How the influence of Hindu culture in Bali made of natural stones in this temple become a place of worship, both to their ancestors and worshiped Hindu Deities. You will amaze in finding some ancient and unique statues there.

Based on a number of statues found in this Puseh Temple, it can be grouped into several types. They are Dwarapala Statue, Embodiment Statue, Animal Statues, The Status Figure of Holding the Chicken, Phallus, Demons (Time), and many more.