UBUD
MAP
Ubud
Facts
 Ubud
lies 36 km from the resorts on the southern coast. The
name for this royal village is derived from the Balinese
word ubad (medicine), the moniker of a herb with healing
properties which grows along the nearby Oos River.
If you aren't interested in overpriced tourist hype
but want comfortable accommodations at good prices,
a central location, and all the facilities in a less
hurried rural environment than the south, the Ubud area
is for you. Despite the bumper-to-bumper traffic, too
many loud motorcycles, and thousands of tourists during
Bali's peak tourist seasons, when it's difficult to
find a parking space, Ubud still shows glimpses of its
basically rural character.
The stars over Ubud almost crowd out the sky they're
so bright, and during the day the heavens are crowned
with fluffy cumulus and wispy cirrus clouds. Wandering
around in the crisp night air is pleasant and safe.
Candidasa, Denpasar, and the airport are all only an
hour's drive from Ubud, and beautiful landscapes and
historical sites-Pujung, Gunung Kawi, Goa Gadjah, Tirta
Empul, Yeh Pulu-are within easy reach
You can enjoy dozens of scenic nature walks around the
village-pick any lane and just keep on walking. The
best time is at dawn. Just east of Ubud is Bali's former
capital, Pejeng, the center of the Balinese Holy Land
and home to the highest concentration of antiquities
on the island. Denpasar, and the airport are all only
an hour's drive from Ubud, and beautiful landscapes
and historical sites-Pujung, Gunung Kawi, Goa Gadjah,
Tirta Empul, Yeh Pulu-are within easy reach
You can enjoy dozens of scenic nature walks around the
village-pick any lane and just keep on walking. The
best time is at dawn. Just east of Ubud is Bali's former
capital, Pejeng, the center of the Balinese Holy Land
and home to the highest concentration of antiquities
on the island.
Ever since the German painter Walter Spies made his
home here in the 1930s, Ubud has been a haven for both
native and European artists. In an area of 10 square
km in and around this village live Bali's most accomplished
dancers, musicians, painters, and carvers. Temple festivals,
celebrations, and performing arts-baby's first haircut,
dance rehearsals, even an occasional cremation-are offered
somewhere in the area every day of the week.
Ubud is also the expat capital of Bali. A permanent
Western community resides here because cultural and
natural attributes make it the ideal place for those
who wish to stay for any length of time on Bali. From
your 'losmen' or homestay family you can learn how to
make a bamboo mouth harp, study painting, maskmaking,
and 'gamelan', or learn the art of the 'dalang'. |
