tabanan


Tanah Lot temple in Tabanan regency
Click to enlarge.

The Tabanan Regency is also called the green belt of Bali because of the large rice fields. However, you can also find a nice coast with some white sand beaches but also mountains in this district.

History

Founded in the 14th century, Tabanan had a mixed history with numerous conflicts, mainly with the neighboring kingdom of Mengwi. By the end of the 1700´s, Tabanan had managed to claim part of the Mengwi kingdom however lost it back to the Mengwi Royal household by the mid 1800´s. In 1906 the Dutch conquered Tabanan, imprisoned the king and his son.

Tabanan city

Tabanan is the district capital of the Tabanan regency, located on the South Eastern part of the regency. Tabanan is a very large, clean town with wide-open streets. The Subak Museum dedicated to the rice cultivation, and the Gedong Marya theatre, dedicated to the famous dancer Mario, are the only real tourist sites in Tabanan, however, the rest of this fertile region has many diverse attractions.

Alas Kedaton Temple

Near the village of Kukuh, an ancient temple is located in this 12 hectares forest that houses both monkeys and large bats.

Abiantuwung

This village stages many dance performances, both old and new. It is also boasted the Whrahatnala School of Dance, which has now sadly shut down.

Batukaru

With the highest peak at 2276 meters above sea level, this volcanic massif has three small nature reserves on and around the three smallest peaks, Lesung, Tapak and Pohen.

Bratan Lake

Japanese caves on the West shore, a pleasure park on the Southern shore of the lake and the cool mountain air make this a pleasant place to spend a day. Various water sports are available at the pleasure park.

Botanical Garden

Raya Eka Karya Gardens. With a land area of 129 hectares the Botanical Gardens maintain up to 650 species of tree and approximately 450 species of orchid.

Bedugul

A cool, mountain, market town that supplies much of the fruit, vegetables and flowers that Bali consumes. One thousand five hundred meters above sea level, Bedugul is on the shores of Lake Bratan, the crater lake of Mount Bratan.

Jatiluwih

Famous for the view over endless rice terraces stretching as far as the eye can see. Here, at 850 meters above sea level, temperatures are cooler. Jatiluwih is having one of the most beautiful rice fields views, but is not so well known to tourists.

Jatiluwih, Tabanan regency in Bali.
Rice terraces of Jatiluwih
Batukaru. Tabanan regency in Bali.
Pura Luhur Batukaru Temple

Kediri

A small village near Tabanan that stages an interesting cattle market every three days.

Kerambitan

Puri Gede, Puri Anyar Baturiti, are two 17th century palaces of the former Tabanan royal family. Interesting stone carvings and antique Chinese porcelain plates embedded in the walls of the gong pavilions are among the various items of interest.

Marga

National Monument of Margarana, built to commemorate the bravery of i Gusti Ngurah Rai and his followers in Indonesia´s struggle for independence against the Dutch.

Pura Luhur Batukau

A royal ancestral temple, with a seven-tiered pagoda, built on the foothills of Mount Batukau. Not as easily accessible as others, this temple remains off the beaten track. Its forest surroundings have an abundance of flora and fauna.

Pujungan Waterfall

The Pujungan Waterfall is near the village of Pujungan. Coffee plantations can be seen en route to this waterfall, which plunges down between narrow white cliffs.

Soka Beach

Soka has a wide, quiet, white sand beach with a few kiosks and colorful fishing boats.

Tanah Lot

This famous temple sits on top of an eroding sentinel rock and high tides cut it off from the mainland. Underground caves are said to house sea serpents that guard this temple. This is probably Bali´s most photographed temple, and is renowned for stunning sunsets.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

A 17th century temple, dedicated to Sang Dewi Danau, goddess of the lake. Part of the temple juts out into the lake and a Buddhist stupa near the outer courtyard bears witness to this temple´s Hindu Buddhist roots. Early mornings are the best time to visit, as clouds or fog soon rolls in.

Yeh Panas & Penatahan Hotsprings

These hot springs are located on the banks of the River Ho. The bubbling water contains sulphur and sodium and is said to cure skin problems. Tourist accommodation is available.

Pejaten

A tradition of earthenware pottery-making has for centuries kept the village of Pejaten busy making useful pots, tiles and ornaments from fire- baked clay. The fragility of the pots ensures both continual supply and demand, and they are used all over the island. In the last few years a foreign aid project within the village has set up a new sophisticated kiln and fully equipped studio where the youth of the village are trained in the application of glazes, opening up a complete new market in durable kiln-fired ceramic ware.

Bali Butterfly Park

Bali Butterfly Park in Wanasari. Tabanan regency in Bali.
Monarch Butterfly in Bali Butterfly Park

The Bali Butterfly Park, also known as Taman Kupu-Kupu Bali, is located in Wanasari, 6.5 kilometres north of the Tabanan regency and is easy to spot with a large sign out the front.

 

It is the largest of its kind in Asia with an area of 3000 sq. metres and welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

Bali Butterfly Park, Location Map, Cost of Admission & Opening Hours

 

The park is a butterfly and insect conservation facility which exhibits a number of specimens throughout the park grounds. 

The butterfly park is an excellent stopover on excursions to the northern region of the island through Tabanan.

 

Families coming to the park will receive an educational tour where they will see hundreds of butterflies including some rare Indonesian species of butterfly. 

Visitors have the privilege of seeing the colorful protected specimens such as the bird wing, Bali peacock and the majestic paradise bird wing. There are also other insects on display including scorpions, stick insects, spiders and beetles.

 

Although not a large park, it is perfect for families as it is spacious and well planned. Kids will be able to see butterflies as they cocoon and emerge as beautiful butterflies. You will have many photo opportunities, so make sure to bring your camera.