cultural tourism in bali

8 Awesome Cultural Things to do in Bali

Last Updated: March 30, 2021

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This list of cultural things to do in Bali was created in partnership with the Indonesia Ministry Tourism, who welcomed me to their country as part of their #TripOfWonders campaign.

I think it’s safe to say, there’s no place on earth like Bali.

I mean, when a single island has thieving monkeys to tame, volcanos to climb, waves to surf and temples to explore, ‘boredom’ is a word that quickly escapes the vocabulary.

And regardless of your traveling persuasion – whether you’re in search of IG-perfect snapshots, belt-loosening cuisine or a chance to get the adrenaline pumping, Bali offers itself up as a buzzing paradise for unforgettable experiences.

Beyond the island’s clear aesthetic beauty though, I’d say some of Bali’s most incredible wonders are its  cultural ones. After getting a quick intro to Balinese culture last month with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism , I’ve been hooked on the idea of coming back to fully experience it all…

That’s why I’ve put together a Bali culture bucket list for you guys, featuring a few of the awesome cultural things to do in Bali I got to try, alongside my future to-dos. Enjoy!

PS: You might also like this roundup of islands to visit in Indonesia besides Bali.

Save this list of cultural things to do in Bali for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Say hello to royalty at Ubud Palace

One of the best things to do in Bali is definitely heading to Ubud, and Ubud Palace is one of the top cultural must-sees here in Bali’s spiritual epicentre.

As the official home of the Ubud royal family (yup, England isn’t the only place known for its royals!), a visit here is a chance to feel like royalty yourself… and maybe meet a few members of the family too if you’re lucky.

While there are some parts of the palace off-limits to visitors, eager explorers are still able to stop by and explore the palace’s gorgeous tangle of ornate courtyards, gardens and gates.

During our trip, we got to meet the royal family of Ubud and enjoy a little tea time, play dress-up in traditional attire, enjoy an adorable dance performance and gawk at a live ‘how it’s made’ demo of traditional offerings.

A truly special place to visit!

2. Be wow’d by the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is famous for a lot of things – delinquent monkeys, unbeatable views and of course, the rhythmic clatter of the Kecak dance, which I assure you, will be stuck in your head for weeks and even months after.

Each day at sunset, hundreds of people gather at Uluwatu Temple to catch the world-famous kecak fire dance show, which combines dance, acapella, fire and some theatrical flair for a seriously unforgettable performance unique to Bali culture.

The performance itself features highlights from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, which has its fair share of twists, turns and my personal favourite – drama for days. Enjoying one of these shows is a quintessential Bali experience, and one that I highly recommend adding to your list!

NOTE: The kecak fire dance is definitely no secret, so expect huge crowds (like in the photo below). Tickets must be purchased in person, so be sure to get there early, or consider booking a tour to avoid the hassle of securing tickets/spots for yourself. Here are some affordable options.

3. Go temple hopping

With a nickname like “Island of the Gods”, it’s a no-brainer that one of the best Bali things to do is visit temples.

Like India , Bali has lot  of temples (or  pura, as they’re known on the island).

There are literally thousands to choose from, making temple hopping one of the top cultural things to do in Bali.

Stuck on where to begin?

Here are a few popular temple highlights to include in your Bali culture bucket list:

Bathe in holy water at Pura Tirta Empul – One of the most important water temples in Bali, with its sacred springs filled with holy water that are said to boast magical, purifying properties. The best way to test this of course, is to try it for yourself!

Explore the ‘Mother Temple of Bali’, the Pura Besakih – A grand temple complex found 900m above ground on Mount Agung in Eastern Bali. Considered one of Bali’s holiest places (though extremely well-known and touristy).

Enjoy the picturesque Pura Taman Ayun –  With a name that literally means “beautiful garden”, this majestic temple complex in Mengwi is known for its spectacular beauty – from towering pagodas and tranquil courtyards to picture-perfect lotus ponds.

Take a peek at the beautiful (but small) Pura Ulun Danu – Set atop Lake Beratan, Bali’s second largest lake, this humble temple is like a picturesque little dream. It may not be as grand as other temples in Bali, but it’s definitely one of the island’s most beautiful.

4. Learn to cook at a Balinese cooking class

Can we really talk about culture without discussing food?

Especially in a place where the grub is so delectably world-renowned… I think the answer is a clear no.

I’ve eaten my way around a lot of foodie destinations, like Bologna in Italy and Lyon in France, but Bali will always have my heart thanks to its sheer variety.

And sure, while Bali these days caters to a wide variety of tourist palettes, (with a fair share of international options wherever you go), it would still be a real shame to miss out on Balinese cuisine…  especially if you don’t learn how to bring it home for yourself.

But while a suitcase full of Nasi Goreng does sounds quite scrumptious, there’s a better way to bring Balinese cuisine home… by indulging in a traditional cooking class.

There are plenty of options to try this all around the island. Click here to browse a few different choices!

5. Enjoy Balinese art at the Agung Rai Museum of Art

While in Bali, another important cultural to-do is to check out the island’s art scene.

My pick? The Agung Rai Museum of Art in Ubud, which is devoted to the showcase, preservation and development of Balinese art and culture.

It’s a beautiful museum, curated with plenty of pieces from the gorgeously detailed to the confusing and contemporary.

It’s a fun rainy day activity, and when weather permits, its gardens a worthwhile visit as well. Hey, I mean if it’s good enough for Barack Obama…

Feeling artsy? There are plenty of other museums to visit too. Check here for a great list.

6. Catch a Balinese Gamelan show

No sound is more synonymous with Indonesia than Gamelan, and quite fittingly, Gamelan is a crucial and important piece of Balinese culture as well.

Gamelan is a type of traditional music that is often heavy on percussion, relying on an ensemble of various instruments (from xylophones to bamboo flutes) to produce layers of beautiful, rhythmic goodness.

Does it sound complicated? That’s because it is. In fact, Gamelan was once named the most complicated music in the world.

So, if you find yourself in Bali, don’t miss your chance to watch a Gamelan “orchestra” in action!  Here’s an article on where to find these shows around the island.  This is hands down one of the best fun things to do in Bali for a first-timer.

7. Get muddy and engage in some Mepantigan

While not the most traditional cultural activity in the world, why not give Mepantigan a try?

This phenomenon is quickly gaining popularity among visitors to Bali for one simple reason: it’s mud wrestling with a cultural twist… which means yes, you have a lovely excuse to drag someone in mud (all in the name of cultural enrichment).

Mepantigan is a form of Balinese martial arts that blends fighting with performing arts, all while relying on muddy venues rice fields and beaches. As far as cultural experiences in Bali go, they don’t get much more hands on than this.

Think of it as a lively spectacle involving plenty of throwing and rolling around in mud, all while dressed up in traditional Balinese attire. Bonus points: your brawl soundtrack is often the rhythmic sound of a gamelan orchestra.

8. Make it rain rupiah at a local market

Last but not least, as many travellers know, markets tend to be where you get a sense of a destination’s local heartbeat, and Bali of course is no exception.

Marketing hopping is one Bali cultural experience you can’t miss!

From bustling food markets where you can eat your weight in street foods, to vibrant markets peddling colourful clothing, trinkets, souvenirs and more, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in a local environment and get some precious face time with locals (even if that means haggling for your ten batik scarves).

I hope you enjoyed this guide to Balinese culture and cultural things to do in Bali!

With a seemingly endless parade of cultural experiences in Bali, this magical island is truly magical. I know that this list barely scrapes the surface, so I’m turning to you for help!

Tell me: what did I miss for this Bali Culture Bucket List? Let me know in the comments! 

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6 thoughts on “8 Awesome Cultural Things to do in Bali”

I’m quite sure I’ve done ONE of these when I went to Bali when I was younger – but I don’t remember any of it. Great list, I’ll make sure to experience at least a few of these when I go back. The Mepantigan sounds like fun! – Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

Right?! That one is my favourite too hahah. Thanks for reading, Charmaine!

Thank you for this post… very informative. I will be headed that way for the whole month of September 2018 and I am compiling a list of things to do. Then I will pick the most interesting probably the month before. There are a couple things in this article that I will be doing for sure.

Hi Todd Geans if you want to go to Bali a lot of Balinese cultures that you can find and also many interesting places that you will get like in Bedugul and the most popular now is Nusa Penida which is often called “the egg of Bali”

Hi Christina Guan The article is very informative, many tourists to Bali want to know the unique culture in Bali, apart from the unique culture of Bali people will also be very friendly to tourists and very tolerant in religious life.

As I live in Bali, I must say that you’ve suggested really awesome cultural things.

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Wira Rafting Bali

Bali River Rafting & Adventure Activities Tour Agency

The Ultimate Guide to Bali Cultural Tourism: Explore Iconic Temples and Traditional Villages

Bali is a cultural treasure in Indonesia known worldwide as the Island of the Gods. It is a treasure trove of religious rituals, art conservation, and traditional villages. This page provides a comprehensive guide to exploring Bali cultural tourism, from iconic Balinese Hindu temples to traditional villages and other cultural highlights that make Bali a popular destination among international travelers.

Bahasa Indonesia, Panduan Wisata Budaya Bali .

An Introduction to Bali’s Art and Cultural Attractions

A. besakih temple: the largest sacred site in bali, b. tanah lot temple: iconic seaside attraction, c. uluwatu temple: captivating cliff views and kecak fire dance, d. lempuyang temple: the gateway of heaven, e. ulun danu beratan temple: peaceful lake beratan, a. penglipuran village: uniform houses and pristine environment, b. trunyan village: unique burial traditions of the bali aga community, c. tenganan village: home of the gringsing woven cloth, a. ubud art market: hub for souvenir shopping, b. fire kecak dance performance, c. sukawati art market: oldest market selling balinese souvenirs, d. barong and legong dance, e. mekare-kare: pandan war showcasing balinese courage, f. bali arts festival: a grand celebration of art and culture, a. dress code, b. local customs and habits, c. respecting religious processions and ceremonies, conclusion: the ultimate bali cultural tourism guide.

Arts and culture are deeply incorporated into the daily life of Balinese people. From distinctive motifs on traditional Balinese woven fabrics and religious ceremonies to the splendid architecture of Hindu temples, Balinese culture offers a deep understanding of a lifestyle rich in spiritual and artistic values. Therefore, when you visit Bali, seizing the opportunity to immerse yourself in Balinese art and culture is necessary.

1. Temples: An Inside Look into Balinese Spiritual Culture

Bali is renowned for its myriad of temples scattered across the island, each providing a unique glimpse into the profound spirituality of the Balinese people.

Furthermore, Besakih Temple is the leading and most significant Hindu temple in Bali, located on the slopes of Mount Agung . Besakih is an area of the temple complex consisting of 23 temple shrines, with the Penataran Agung Temple at the center.

Tanah Lot is one of the temples you must visit while vacationing in Bali . This temple is on a large rock in the middle of the sea. Tanah Lot Temple is famous as a tourist destination because it offers a unique temple location and sunset views.

On another page on this site, I have written about the beauty of the Tanah Lot sunset view , which you can read by clicking the link. In addition, every tourist who visits will pay for an entry

ance ticket to the Tanah Lot tourist attractions .

Uluwatu Temple is located at the top of a high cliff, and visitors can see beautiful views of the Indian Ocean from the temple location.

Furthermore, what you should not miss when visiting Uluwatu Temple is watching the Kecak Fire dance held every day at sunset. The Uluwatu Kecak dance tells the story of the Ramayana epic against a gorgeous sunset as a backdrop. Ordering online is the best way to get affordable ticket prices for the Uluwatu Kecak dance .

Many tourists who have visited the Uluwatu temple say that this sacred place on a cliff is one of the finest sites to see the sunset in Bali . In addition, every visitor who enters the tourist area will pay an entrance ticket to Uluwatu Temple.

Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple , located in the highlands of the East Bali tourist area, is one of the oldest Hindu temples and has an essential role in Bali.

Tourists know Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple as the ‘Gate to Heaven’ because a gate within the temple frames a view of Mount Agung.

Please note that Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple and Luhur Lempuyang Temple are different holy places in the same complex.

If you only want to visit the “Gate of Heaven,” you will visit the Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple. On the other hand, if you see the Lempuyang Luhur temple, you must climb 1,700 steps and pass through a lush forest.

If you are interested in visiting the Gate of Heaven, it’s a good idea to find out about holiday guides & entrance tickets to Pura Lempuyang Karangasem Bali .

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple , located on the edge of Lake Beratan Bedugul , Tabanan Bali. Visitors who have a vacation to Lake Beratan will get a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful natural scenery. Also, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, from a distance, looks like it is floating on the surface of the lake water, so it looks unique and enchanting.

Adjacent to Lake Beratan, there is a popular family tourist spot; the site’s name is Bedugul Bali Botanical Garden .

2. Traditional Village Tourism: Experience the Authentic Balinese Lifestyle & Culture

A visit to Bali offers more than picturesque beaches and temple sights. Exploring traditional villages to experience the indigenous culture is highly recommended.

Furthermore, Penglipuran Village is one of the traditional villages in Bali which has managed to maintain its traditional customs and architecture. As you enter the inner area of the village, you will see traditional houses that look very similar.

Residents construct their homes from natural materials and immaculately maintain the village environment. So that when you visit, you will get a brief overview of the life of Penglipuran villagers. Furthermore, if you want to see this traditional village, finding information on Penglipuran village entrance fees is a good idea.

Trunyan Village , located on the shores of Lake Batur Kintamani , is famous for its unique burial traditions and is very different from other areas in Bali.

The Bali Aga in Trunyan Village places the bodies on the lake’s edge in a particular area. The community places bodies on the ground, unburied. Surprisingly, the bodies do not smell, and local beliefs attribute this lack of scent to the Taru Menyan tree.

All of the above will make you see a different culture from most of the Balinese in general.

The location of Tenganan Village is in the hilly area of Karangasem district, a tourist area in the eastern part of Bali . The residents of Tenganan Village are the Bali Aga people, who had settled in Bali before the arrival of the people from the Majapahit kingdom .

Apart from that, Tenganan Village Karangasem is famous for its unique woven cloth called ‘Geringsing.’ When you visit Tenganan village, you can witness local artisans weaving Gringsing cloth .

Furthermore, Tenganan Village is also famous for the architecture of the villagers’ buildings which look unique. Cobblestone dirt roads line the houses, with walls of clay encircling them.

Additional Highlights of Bali Cultural Tourism

Besides natural beauty and temple architecture, Bali cultural tourism offers a unique cultural experience, from art markets selling handicrafts to traditional dance performances.

Ubud Art Market is one of the spots where you can go to purchase Balinese souvenirs. Available from silver jewelry to wood carvings and paintings by local artisans. So, you can effortlessly find souvenirs from your holiday trip to Bali.

The location of the Ubud art market is very strategic because it is close to Ubud Royal Palace , Monkey Forest Ubud , and Taman Saraswati Temple .

Watching the Kecak dance performance is essential if you are interested in Balinese art and culture. There are many locations to watch Kecak dance performances in Bali, such as Tanah Lot Temple, Batubulan village, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park , and Uluwatu Temple.

This market is a selling zone for local art and the oldest market selling Balinese souvenirs. Most tourists looking for affordable souvenirs will visit the Sukawati art market .

When visiting this market, you will find various handicrafts, such as traditional fabrics, silver jewelry, and Balinese knick-knacks. In addition, the Sukawati Art market is close to the location of family and children’s tourist attractions, the Bali Zoo , and the Bali Bird Park .

Besides the Kecak dance, Balinese dance performances such as the Barong and Legong attract visitors. The Barong Dance takes a narrative about the fight between good (Barong) and evil (Rangda). Meanwhile, the Legong Peliatan Ubud dance performed by youthful girls tells the story of an ancient Javanese kingdom.

Meanwhile, there are many locations in Bali to watch Barong and Legong dance performances, most of which are in the tourist area of Ubud Bali .

Mekare-Kare, or the Pandan War , is a unique tradition of the residents of Tenganan Village Karangasem. A ceremonial dueling ritual takes place every year. In the dueling ceremony, village men will fight each other using weapons made from thorny pandan leaves.

The Bali Arts Festival is a yearly event showcasing Balinese culture and artistic talent. It includes art shows, cultural performances, craft markets, and food experiences.

Local artists use this festival to present their work to visitors. The festival’s opening ceremony typically features a parade or carnival, which the President of Indonesia usually opens. Also, if you’re visiting in June, you definitely should not miss the opening parade of this festival.

Travel Guide to Experience Bali Cultural Tourism

When you explore Bali’s unique art and culture, knowing a few essential things is a good idea. The following are some of my recommendations and suggestions to ensure that your visit provides a positive experience for you and the local community:

When visiting temples in Bali, it’s a good idea to dress modestly. I suggest you use a top and sarong tied with a scarf in the waist area. In addition, most of Bali’s tourist attractions provide visitors with sarongs and shawls.

If you want more details about the holiday dress code guide to temples in Bali , I have written it on this site.

In Bali, certain traditions are essential to understand. Here are a few:

• Always use your right hand when giving or taking something. The left hand is viewed as less holy.
• Also, don’t touch someone’s head without asking first. It’s seen as disrespectful.
• As local customs deem it inappropriate, women should avoid entering temples during menstruation.

Furthermore, if you vacation in Bali and encounter a procession or religious ceremony, respect the event by avoiding disturbances or interruptions.

Engaging in Bali cultural tourism is more than just sightseeing. It’s about enjoying and appreciating the diverse culture that makes Bali unique. If this comprehensive guide to Bali arts and culture tourism has been helpful, please share it on your social media. For suggestions or questions, feel free to comment below.

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About Wayan Suadnyana

Wayan Suadnyana, who writes for Wira Tour Bali, is a specialist in Bali tourism with a degree in Tourism Management from Bali Tourism College (2001). Renowned for his hands-on experience and close relationships with local communities, Wayan delivers genuine Bali narratives in his writings. As a fan of nature and adventure, he delights in activities like whitewater rafting, water sports, and cross-country and road biking. Given his deep understanding of Bali and commitment to its tourism sector, Wayan is a dependable resource for tourists seeking to discover the island.

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Wander-Lush

Bali Culture Guide: 5 Meaningful Experiences for Visitors

Experience Bali beyond the beach clubs and surf breaks. Here are 5 easy ways visitors can get acquainted with Bali culture.

About the author: Mal from Raw Mal Roams is a Polish/British solo female traveller and content creator. She has been living in Bali since 2020 and is here today to share her insights into Bali culture.

Bali, with its tormenting natural beauty, is often referred to as ‘the island of the gods’. Sights like imposing cliffs, alluring beaches, lush rice terraces and hidden waterfalls are not uncommon on the island.

Yet, Bali is not only about the incredible nature – it also has a unique history and culture . Taking the time to understand this beautiful island on a deeper level will enrich your trip to Bali immensely.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

A snapshot of Bali 

Bali is dominated by Hinduism, first brought to the island by Indian vendors in the 7th century. When the rest of Indonesia converted to Islam during the 16th century, Bali became a haven for intellectuals and artists. In this way, the island solidified its Hindu culture.

The first foreign visitors from Europe arrived at the end of the same century in search of spices. At the end of the 18th century, Bali ended up as a Dutch colony and remained that way until the end of World War II when Indonesia regained its independence.

In the 70s, Bali received its first influx of Australian tourists after a surfing documentary was filmed on the island. In the early 2000s, several terrorist attacks severely damaged the tourism industry.

But just a few years later, especially after the Hollywood movie Eat, Pray and Love starring Julia Roberts was released, Bali was back on the bucket list for travellers.

Omnipresent Balinese culture

Bali is steeped in culture, from the island’s many temples to hotel lobbies decorated with ornaments. The culture is also present in the daily lives of the local people who often wear traditional outfits, attend ceremonies, and leave daily offerings on every street corner.

Life in Bali involves adhering strictly to the local calendar called Saka . Nothing happens on a random day – whether it’s a visit to the dentist or a wedding. A consultation with the local priest is required to find a ‘good day’ for important life activities in order to avoid bad luck.

5 ways tourists can experience Bali culture

There are various activities tourists are welcome to undertake to experience fascinating Balianese culture. Here are just a few.

1. Attend a water cleansing ritual at Tirta Empul

One of the best places in Bali to experience the island’s vibrant culture is Ubud, which is considered to be the cultural capital. Adding a cleansing ritual to your Ubud itinerary is a must for any traveller who’s interested in experiencing local tradition firsthand.

The water cleansing ritual has a deep and important significance in Balinese Hindu culture. Local people visit places including Tirta Empul regularly, especially during major celebrations, and perform this ritual to cleanse their souls from any negative elements and to gain energy and inspiration for their daily lives.

Balinese people believe that the spring water at Tirta Empul has healing properties. Legend says there was a king that did not believe in Hinduism and disallowed his subjects from practising the religion.

That infuriated god Indra who sent his troops to punish the king. The king poisoned the god’s men, and Indra created a magical pool to heal them. After this event, the king became a devoted believer.

Foreign tourists are welcome to participate in the cleansing ritual . The entrance to Tirta Empul costs around 50K IDR ($3.5). Visitors are expected to cover their knees and shoulders. If you don’t have suitable clothes, the temple rents out sarongs for a small donation.

The purification ritual takes place at the main spring pool. There are changing rooms and lockers where you can safely leave your belongings. Traditional green robes that can be hired for the act of purification.

Once ready, take your place in the line and wait your turn, starting from the left sprout. At every water sprout, you make a prayer, wash your face three times and submerge your head in the cold spring water three times as well. Then, you repeat the process at every sprout, excluding the last two, which are designed for burials.

• Guided option: Receive a water blessing as part of this full-day Bali Cultural Tour .

2. Take part in a Balinese cooking class 

Adding a cooking class to your Bali itinerary is another highly rewarding hands-on way of experiencing the culture.

Balinese cuisine is a mix of various influences coming from different parts of Indonesia as well as China and India. In accordance with Hindu beliefs, beef is rarely consumed, while rice is a staple of the diet. Food is an integral part of religion, where certain dishes are cooked and consumed during important festivals, and other dishes are prepared as part of the offerings made to the gods.

Traditionally a Balinese family would buy food ingredients in the morning at the local market and cook, eat in the late morning, and keep leftovers to consume in the evening.

You can sample traditional Balinese dishes in local restaurants called Warung . Often, one Warung will specialise in a specific dish such as Nasi Campur . Traditional breakfasts and snacks are also sold from small carts that are stationed in one spot on local roads.

The best cooking classes are those hosted by a Balinese family. Guests are first taken to a local market where they get to know the various tropical fruits, vegetables and spices that are also used as remedies in traditional medicine.

Back home, the meal is prepared from starch using traditional techniques such as wood fire-oven while the host talks about daily family life and customs. In the end, everyone gets to enjoy a fresh, mouth-watering meal together.

3. Watch Kecak Dance at sunset in Uluwatu Temple

In Balinese culture, dance is an expression of art and has a deep religious meaning as an act of connecting with gods. Dances are typically performed at religious festivities in temples all over the island.

Dancing heritage is passed from generation to generation, and normally small children – boys and girls – attend lessons to learn the skills. Before the dance, the performers usually pray and give offerings to receive ‘divine inspiration’ from the gods.

Tourists can learn Balinese dances in the villages or at events organised by bigger resort-style hotels. There are many traditional dances, and each tells a different story.

Legong is performed by young girls dressed in beautiful gowns and gold accessories and involves lots of hand gestures and facial expressions. Baris is a warrior’s dance for preparing for battle, while Barong and Kris dance tell a story about the struggle between evil and good.

The most spectacular dance performance to watch in Bali is Kecak , performed at the famous Uluwatu Temple at sunset . Uluwatu sits on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean and makes a perfect backdrop for this awe-inspiring performance.

Kecak dance is performed by a large group of men and boys dressed in traditional sarongs. They chant loudly, raising their hands while sitting in a circle. There is usually a flame in the middle, which looks even more dramatic after the sun sets .

Kecak dance tells the story of Prince Rama fighting an evil king in a desperate attempt to free a kidnapped princess Shinta. In the past, Kecak was one of the trance dances used by men when praying for their ancestors’ souls. Nowadays, there is also a female-led group in Ubud that performs this dance too.

4. Visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

For those who want to learn more about Balinese heritage, arts and legendary tales, Garuda Park is an excellent day trip . This cultural park is home to the 120-metre-tall statue of the Hindu god Wisnu sitting on the mythical eagle – the Garuda .

This monument is the most prominent landmark in Bali and the tallest statue of its kind in the world – even taller than Christ the Redeemer!

Garuda is the national emblem of Indonesia and signifies the victory of freedom from oppression, which has special importance to the Indonesian people. 

Garuda Wisnu Park boasts a range of cultural shows that allow spectators to learn more about rich Balinese heritage. Performances include dances that originated from all over Indonesia, folklore shows that tell stories from different historical periods, and Rindik instrumental concerts.

There is also a children’s cinema that shows an animated version of Balinese legends, a museum, a restaurant, another sizeable statue of Wisnu’s upper body, and a lotus pond.

5. Attend a Batik workshop

Batik is an ancient craft that originated in Java. The term Batik comes from the word ‘tik’ , which means ‘to dot’ in Javanese.

The Batik technique involves applying hot wax to silk or cotton before dip-dying the material. The wax blocks the dye, creating patterns. Designs could feature just one layer of wax and one colour, or a complex arrangement with multiple layers of both.

This technique is practised in many different locations in the world, including Malaysia , China and Japan, but Indonesian Batik is considered by many to have the highest level of artistry.

There are various workshops where visitors can learn the basics of Batik. Many are hosted by local artists in Ubud. Students get to use the traditional tools and are shown how to decorate their own piece of cloth, which they can take home as a souvenir .

Bali is one of the most rewarding destinations for culture-inclined tourists . Which of these alternative things to do in Bali catches your eye?

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Tourism in Bali- From Islands to Temples

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Tourism in Bali is big business. But why is tourism in this area so big and how should it be managed? Read on to find out…

• Overview of Bali

The tourism industry in Bali

Why people travel to bali, most popular types of tourism in bali, most popular tourist attractions in bali.

• What types of tourists travel to Bali
• Crime and safety in Bali
• Required budget to visit Bali
• General tips for visiting Bali

10 interesting facts about Bali

• 10 FAQs about tourism in Bali

Tourism in Bali 

Bali, an Indonesian island renowned globally, represents a confluence of natural beauty, spiritual significance, and cultural vibrancy. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive examination of Bali’s evolving role within the global tourism landscape.

Geography of Bali

Bali is a small island province of Indonesia located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is situated between the islands of Java to the west and Lombok to the east.

The geography of Bali is characterized by a mountainous interior surrounded by coastal plains and sandy beaches. The island is dominated by two active volcanoes, Mount Agung and Mount Batur, which are popular trekking destinations. The highest point on the island is Mount Agung, which stands at 3,142 meters (10,308 feet) above sea level.

The island is divided into six regions or regencies: Badung, Bangli, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, and Karangasem. The capital city of Bali is Denpasar, located in the south of the island.

Bali has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season lasts from October to March, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in December and January. The dry season lasts from April to September, with the coolest temperatures occurring in July and August.

The island’s main river is the Ayung River, which flows from the northern mountain ranges to the south coast. Bali is also known for its rice terraces, which are located throughout the island and are considered to be some of the most beautiful in the world. The island’s beaches are also a major attraction, with popular spots such as Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur drawing tourists from around the globe.

Bali’s tourism industry is a vital part of the island’s economy, accounting for a significant percentage of its GDP. Here are some statistics regarding tourism in Bali:

• In 2019, Bali welcomed over 6.3 million international tourists, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
• The majority of tourists to Bali come from Australia, China, and Japan, with other significant markets including Europe and the United States.
• Tourism provides employment opportunities for a large portion of the local population, with an estimated 28% of Bali’s workforce employed in the tourism industry.
• According to the Bali Tourism Board, the average length of stay for international tourists in Bali is 7.7 days.
• The most popular tourist areas in Bali are Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud, with other areas such as Nusa Dua and Jimbaran also attracting significant numbers of visitors.
• In terms of accommodation, Bali offers a range of options from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. As of 2021, Bali had over 55,000 registered hotel rooms.

Overall, tourism plays a crucial role in Bali’s economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the island’s development.

People travel to Bali for a variety of reasons, including:

• Beaches : Bali is famous for its stunning beaches, with crystal clear waters and white sand. Beach activities such as swimming, surfing, and sunbathing are popular among tourists.
• Culture : Bali is home to a rich and unique culture that combines Hinduism with Balinese traditions. Tourists can witness traditional ceremonies, dances, and crafts, as well as visit temples and other cultural sites.
• Natural beauty: Bali’s geography offers visitors a diverse range of landscapes, including lush rice terraces, volcanic mountains, and waterfalls. Outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and cycling are popular among tourists.
• Food : Balinese cuisine is known for its spicy flavors and unique ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, and turmeric. Tourists can sample local dishes such as Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Babi Guling (suckling pig).
• Wellness : Bali has become a popular destination for wellness tourism, with numerous yoga and meditation retreats, as well as spas and wellness centers offering traditional Balinese healing treatments.
• Nightlife : Bali has a vibrant nightlife scene, particularly in the areas of Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu, with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues.

Overall, Bali offers visitors a unique blend of culture, nature, and relaxation, making it a popular destination for travelers of all types.

Bali offers a diverse range of tourism experiences, catering to different interests and preferences. Here are some of the most popular types of tourism in Bali:

• Beach tourism : Bali is famous for its beautiful beaches, and beach tourism is one of the most popular types of tourism in the island. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities such as swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and beach sports.
• Cultural tourism : Bali is home to a rich and unique culture, and cultural tourism is a major draw for visitors. Tourists can witness traditional ceremonies, dances, and crafts, as well as visit temples and other cultural sites.
• Adventure tourism: Bali’s geography offers visitors a range of adventure tourism experiences such as trekking, hiking, cycling, and water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and rafting.
• Wellness tourism : Bali has become a popular destination for wellness tourism, with numerous yoga and meditation retreats, as well as spas and wellness centers offering traditional Balinese healing treatments.
• Ecotourism : Bali’s natural beauty and biodiversity make it an attractive destination for ecotourism. Visitors can explore Bali’s rainforests, rice terraces, and nature reserves, and witness the island’s unique flora and fauna.
• Food tourism : Balinese cuisine is known for its unique flavors and ingredients, and food tourism is becoming increasingly popular in Bali. Visitors can sample local dishes such as Nasi Goreng and Babi Guling, and visit local markets and food stalls.

Overall, Bali offers a diverse range of tourism experiences, catering to different interests and preferences, and making it an attractive destination for travelers of all types.

Bali is home to a wide range of tourist attractions, ranging from natural wonders to cultural and historical sites. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Bali:

• Uluwatu Temple: Located on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali’s most iconic temples, known for its stunning sunset views and traditional Kecak dance performances.
• Tanah Lot Temple : Another iconic temple in Bali, Tanah Lot is located on a rock formation off the coast and offers spectacular ocean views.
• Ubud Monkey Forest: The Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, home to over 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques and several Hindu temples.
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Located north of Ubud, the Tegalalang Rice Terrace is a popular tourist spot known for its stunning views of rice terraces and lush greenery.
• Mount Batur: An active volcano in Bali, Mount Batur offers hiking and trekking opportunities, as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
• Kuta Beach: One of Bali’s most famous beaches, Kuta is known for its lively atmosphere, white sand, and excellent surf breaks.
• Seminyak : A trendy resort town in Bali, Seminyak offers a range of activities such as shopping, dining, and nightlife.
• Nusa Dua : A popular destination for luxury tourism, Nusa Dua offers high-end resorts, golf courses, and water sports.
• Pura Besakih : Known as the “Mother Temple of Bali,” Pura Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple in Bali.
• Bali Safari and Marine Park: Located in Gianyar, the Bali Safari and Marine Park offers visitors the opportunity to see a variety of animals up close, as well as cultural shows and rides.

These are just a few examples of the many tourist attractions that Bali has to offer, and visitors to the island are sure to find something that suits their interests and preferences.

Overall, Bali is a beautiful and unique destination, but it’s important to be respectful, mindful, and prepared to make the most of your trip.

Impacts of tourism in Bali

Bali, renowned for its enchanting beaches, intricate temples, and vibrant arts, has long held a special place in the hearts of global travellers. As tourism in Bali has burgeoned, managing its diverse impacts becomes instrumental in preserving the island’s unique character and ensuring sustainable progress.

Social Impacts of Tourism Tourism in Bali has engendered a rich cultural exchange, with the island’s arts, dance, and religious ceremonies attracting international acclaim. Visitors and locals engage in a dialogue that fosters mutual respect and appreciation for cultural diversity. Nevertheless, this surge in global interest brings along its set of challenges. Traditional Balinese ceremonies, once held for spiritual reasons, are sometimes staged for tourists, leading to concerns about the commercialisation of sacred practices.

Economic Impacts of Tourism There’s no denying the economic boon that tourism in Bali provides. The industry has created numerous job opportunities, from hoteliers to artisanal craftsmen, leading to improved living standards for many Balinese. However, the island’s economy has become increasingly dependent on tourism. When global events reduce travel, as in the case of pandemics or economic downturns, the local economy faces significant vulnerabilities due to this over-reliance.

Environmental Impacts of Tourism Bali’s natural beauty, from its verdant rice terraces to its coral reefs, is undoubtedly a significant draw for tourists. Tourism in Bali has spurred environmental conservation efforts, with various marine conservation projects and eco-resorts popping up. However, the sheer volume of visitors has also posed environmental challenges. Waste management, water scarcity, and marine pollution are pressing issues that demand urgent attention to ensure the island’s ecological balance.

Table Summary: Impacts of Tourism in Bali

In essence, while tourism in Bali offers opportunities for growth and global collaboration, it also presents challenges that require nuanced understanding and strategic interventions. As the island grapples with these dynamics, a holistic approach ensures that Bali retains its charm and continues to mesmerise visitors for generations to come.

It is no wonder that Bali is such a popular tourist destination, given that it is such an interesting place! Here are my favourite 10 interesting facts about Bali:

• Bali is one of over 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, and is located between Java and Lombok.
• Bali is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, with over 83% of its population practicing Balinese Hinduism.
• The island of Bali is only about 5,780 square kilometers (2,231 square miles) in size, making it smaller than some major cities such as New York City.
• Bali is known as the “Island of the Gods” due to its rich and unique culture, which is deeply intertwined with religion.
• The traditional Balinese calendar is based on a 210-day cycle, with each year consisting of ten weeks, or pawukon.
• Bali has a rich tradition of dance and music, with over 200 different types of dance and music genres, many of which are performed during religious ceremonies and festivals.
• The Ubud Monkey Forest, located in central Bali, is home to over 700 Balinese long-tailed macaques and several Hindu temples.
• The traditional Balinese house is designed according to the Balinese concept of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, and the gods.
• Bali is known for its unique cuisine, which combines Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian influences. Popular dishes include Nasi Goreng, Babi Guling, and Satay.
• The island of Bali is home to several active volcanoes, including Mount Agung, which last erupted in 2018. Despite the potential danger, tourism continues to thrive on the island.

These are just a few of the many interesting facts about Bali, which has a rich and unique culture that continues to fascinate visitors from around the world.

FAQs about tourism in Bali

Now that we know a bit more about tourism in Bali, lets finish off this article by answering some of the most frequently asked questions about tourism in Bali:

• When is the best time to visit Bali?

The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season from May to September. However, Bali can be visited year-round as the weather is warm and humid all year long.

• What are the visa requirements for Bali?

Visitors from many countries are allowed to enter Bali for 30 days without a visa, while others may require a visa on arrival or a pre-arranged visa before arrival. It’s best to check with your country’s embassy or consulate for specific visa requirements.

• What is the currency in Bali and how much should I budget for my trip?

The currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah. Budgets can vary greatly depending on your travel style and preferences, but budget travelers can expect to spend around £30-50 per day, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around £50-100 per day. For luxury travelers, the cost can be upwards of £200 per day.

• What language is spoken in Bali?

Balinese and Indonesian are the official languages in Bali, but many people also speak English, especially in tourist areas.

• What is the transportation like in Bali?

Transportation in Bali includes taxis, private drivers, motorbike rentals, and local buses. It’s important to negotiate prices beforehand and ensure safety measures are taken if renting a motorbike.

• What are some popular tourist attractions in Bali?

Popular tourist attractions in Bali include the beaches, rice paddies, temples, waterfalls, and cultural performances.

• Is Bali a safe place to travel to?

Bali is generally a safe place to travel to, but visitors should still take precautions to avoid theft, scams, and traffic accidents.

• What should I wear in Bali?

Bali has a tropical climate, so light, breathable clothing is recommended. It’s important to dress modestly when visiting temples and other religious sites.

• What are some common customs and etiquette in Bali?

Customs and etiquette in Bali include showing respect for the local culture and religion, removing shoes before entering temples and homes, and using the right hand for eating and shaking hands.

• What are some eco-friendly activities I can do in Bali?

Eco-friendly activities in Bali include visiting organic farms, participating in beach clean-ups, and staying at eco-friendly accommodations.

To conclude- tourism in Bali

Bali, the Island of Gods, captivates with its mesmerising blend of nature, culture, and spirituality. As tourism in Bali thrives, the island stands at a crossroads of preserving its rich traditions and accommodating global aspirations. It’s essential to navigate this delicate balance, ensuring that Bali’s enchanting allure remains untarnished. By embracing sustainable and respectful tourism practices, Bali can continue to offer its timeless beauty and cultural depth to the world, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.

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Bali Wants To Redefine What Cultural Tourism Means In 2024

Posted on Published: January 13, 2024

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One of the top reasons tourists cite when asked about why they want to visit Bali is the culture.

The Island of the Gods is home to one of the most unique cultures in the world, but some leaders feel tourism is starting to threaten its longevity. 

Officials in Bali have come together to discuss the future of tourism on the island.

As leaders have been calling for a shift towards more sustainable and culturally respectful tourism, following a rise in badly-behaved foreigners in 2023, there is an opportunity for Bali to redefine what cultural tourism means in practice. 

At a summit titled ‘Continuous Bali Tourism Development Meeting Challenges and Solutions’ the island’s leading tourism stakeholders came together to redefine what Balinese cultural tourism must look like moving forward.

They also discussed how to tackle the internal and external challenges tourism and culture experience on a small and large scale. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

The meeting was chaired by Regional Representative Council Member Made Mangku Pastika who has proposed that the redefinition of cultural tourism must come before any further changes to the tourism sector are made. 

Pastika told reporters about the challenges tourism in Bali is facing at this time.

He explained, “External challenges include the length of stay of foreign tourists which is getting shorter because more and more foreigner tourists from Bali then continue their journey to Labuan Bajo and Lombok.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝙍𝙀𝙂𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙈 𝙄𝙉 𝘽𝘼𝙇𝙄 (@astungkaraway)

He noted that traffic congestion, waste management, and crime are also issues that need great attention and resources if Bali’s tourism sector is to uphold its reputation worldwide.

These are all issues that officials in Bali are openly acknowledging need to be addressed urgently. 

Pastika and his peers also discussed the issue of over-tourism, though they rejected the statements made by the World Travel and Tourism Council report that claimed the island has already reached the point of over-tourism.

The report also stated that Paris, Venice, Athens, and Phuket have all toppled over the precipice into overtourism.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bambu Indah (@bambuindah)

Tantowi Yahya, the President Commissioner of Kura Kura Bali, told reporters how cultural tourism has changed in recent years.

Yahya explained “Now Balinese culture has changed a lot. For example, many Balinese dances are no longer accompanied by a live gamelan. There are also fewer and fewer green open spaces. I hope that the Governor of Bali in the future will have a policy that is in favor of sustainable tourism.”

The Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, was also in attendance at the conference.

He called for a united approach to promoting cultural tourism in Bali and noted that this unity could have an impact bigger than the sum of its parts. 

Acting Governor Mahendra Jaya said, “Changes occurring in Bali’s tourism climate require the involvement of all parties to help maintain the sustainability of Bali tourism.”

“As hosts, our duty is to maintain and preserve all the tourism potential that we have, then provide good service to all tourists, in accordance with the cultural customs we have so that tourists feel safe and comfortable traveling in Bali.”

The Acting Governor concluded “In an effort to maintain the sustainability of Balinese cultural tourism I invite all parties to collaborate together to carry out tasks according to their respective roles in maintaining the preservation of Balinese culture, preserving Bali’s natural environment and improving the quality of Bali’s human resources.”

There are dozens of businesses and initiatives in Bali that focus on promoting Balinese and Indonesian culture in a respectful and sustainable way to tourists.

It is entirely possible to visit Bali and experience the island away from the tourism offerings that cater to the mass market. 

Whether it’s respectfully visiting lesser-known villages and temples, staying at locally run honesty’s or even top eco-hotels, and opting for excursions and activities that focus on farming, connecting to the land, and learning about Balinese culture in a reverential and respectful way, there is so much potential for culturally respectful and sustainable tourism as default in Bali. 

Organizations like Potato Head Bali, Mana Earthly Paradise, Astungkara Way, Usada Ubud, Bambu Indah, and so many more have been blazing the trail for sustainable and regenerative tourism for all. 

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Robert Sablin

Monday 15th of January 2024

They redefining it daily, cutting down all the ancient holy trees, plowing the beautiful river valleys for more resorts, you name it they are redefining what Bali used to be.

Sunday 14th of January 2024

Upping the spa tax to 40% will make sure less money for "spiritual tourism" and more money are diverted to the beach club tycoons.

More useless jaw-clapping from Bali.

Talks about sustainable tourism - destroys another area of nature into shitty dirty concrete junge. Talks about respectful tourists - builds more day and night clubs for drunken yobbos. Talks about waste management - turns rice fields into open garbage dump.

Bali is a circus.

Saturday 13th of January 2024

To late and to late way to late Serangan kurakura ??? It was the only and best location for a waste processing recycling plant. The perfect opportunity to show the world how Bali is in balance with nature 🙏

They want it BOTH ways: More tourists AND less congestion. Too late now..... Ain't gonna happen!

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Cultural Tourism" in Bali: Cultural Performances as Tourist Attraction

1990, Indonesia

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Beyond cultural tourism: experiencing the arts in bali.

Music, dance, theater, and arts and crafts are important parts of Balinese culture. Their ceremonial nature reflects the multiple layers of Balinese Hindu religious practices and philosophies within the complex social-cultural structure of Balinese society. The inseparable relationships among these arts provide a vivid soundscape and landscape for students to experience the functions of arts in a living environment. Since the early twentieth century, Bali has been staged for the consumption of cultural tourists wishing to increase their knowledge by exploring the exotic traditions of the tropical island. Gradually, the Balinese have commercialized their performing arts and shifted their social religious functions to secular economic ones.

Believing that tourism helps support the traditional arts, social and cultural anthropologist Philip F. McKean suggests that such a shift “has reinforced a sense of boundary maintenance among the Balinese between what they do for themselves and what they do for their visitors.” 1 How to guard this boundary to maintain the essential values of Balinese traditions and keep alive the island’s renowned status as a living museum remains a dilemma among governmental agencies, religious leaders, artists, and merchants, but many believe that it can be solved by attracting tourists and using the income to foster Balinese culture. As a result of the impact of cultural tourism, the establishment of the sanggar (a private home studio) and its accessibility to tourists have replaced the banjar’s (village) traditional role as the cultural center to provide art activities for education and entertainment. Although criticized as an individualistic deviation from the traditional communal lifestyle, some Balinese sanggar have become effective cultural agencies that help tourists roam between boundaries to acquire knowledge and create a win-win situation for both parties.

My collaboration with Sanggar Manik Galih in a three-week study abroad course in 2014, sponsored by Northern Illinois University, created an opportunity for our students to have a more in-depth studythan simply observing cultural practices. Through a contextualized learning experience in which performing arts were an essential part, we were allowed to go further, either as passively witnessing observers or as actively practicing participants, into the many cultural layers strictly defined by their animistic religious purposes. Unique to Balinese Hinduism, these purposes are daily demonstrated not only by offerings and prayers, but also by gamelanmusic and dance drama, all of which we observed and eventually practiced.

We began this learning as tourists and outsiders, but gradually developed into participants, furtherinside traditional Balinese culture than we had originally been. Immersing ourselves in the community and intimately interacting with local people allowed us to roam between what ethnomusicologist Peter Dunbar-Hall defines as “boundaries,” sites where tourists are restricted, and “frontiers,” sites where they are allowed “entry to levels of insider experience and potential knowledge.” 2 With the help of culture bearers to explain the context and significance of ceremonial events, tourists may penetrate multiple frontiers where music, dance, and theater are always inseparable from religious meanings. Using Dunbar-Hall’s definitions, in what follows, I highlight selected activities to explain how our roles shifted from tourists to participants and how such a transformation deepened our knowledge about this living culture.

Understanding this transformation requires knowledge of the structure of the traditional pura (Balinese temple), jeroan (innermost courtyard), jaba tengah (middle courtyard), and jaba (outer courtyard) (see Figure 1). Classified by their unique religious functions, these divisions are associated with various types of entertainment according to their degree of sacredness: wali, bebali, and balih-balihan. Wali, “the offering or ritual ceremony,” is the sacred entertainment for the gods in the innermost courtyard. Bebali, the accompaniment to ritual or ceremony but not the ritual itself, is the entertainment for the participants in the middle courtyard; and balih-balihan, “that which is watched,” is the entertainment for the public, vendors, and tourists in the outer courtyard. 3 I use this classification metaphorically to explain how the immersive curriculum allowed us to literally move from the outer courtyard to the middle courtyard and temporarily to the innermost courtyard. This transformation from observers to participants in ritual ceremonies and performance enabled us first to “watch” as tourists and later to “be watched” as part of the village. Our transformation also allowed us to penetrate more deeply into Balinese culture firmly defined by their religious and social functions. A journey of roaming in between these boundaries and frontiers of the secular and sacred had thus begun!

Balih-Balihan

We attended a kecak, the mistakenly called “monkey chant” trance dance that no tourists would miss. The “Kecak Fire and Trance Dance” brochure promised an authentic experience, an exotic extravaganza of singing, dancing, acting, and fighting embedded in a dreamlike animistic atmosphere, concluded by a tari jarang sanhyang (horse trance dance) in which a “horse” dancer repeatedly ran through flames until he collapsed. When he recovered, the horrified and sympathetic tourists, convinced of their “authentic experience,” patted and tipped him.

But was it really an “authentic experience” or merely a packaged tourist program? Created for Westerners in the 1930s by German artist Walter Spies and his Balinese friends who had practiced the centuries-old sanghayng exorcism rituals, 4 this show, as anthropologist James Clifford recognizes, is an illustration of how folklore, once an integral part of a culture, becomes an exotic tourist novelty. 5 In a lecture at the sanggar, we learned that kecak was a form of “gamelan suara” in which the chorus vocally imitates traditional gamelan elements to create repetitive interlocking phrases. We also learned the epic Ramayana stories in which kecak is embedded, including its animistic ritual significance, many variations, and its historical development as a performance genre. Going beyond what we were presented as tourists, we understood more in this contextualized learning.

Gradually going futher, we entered a deeper level of balih-balihan at a village cockfight. In contrast to kecak, sabunganis not for tourists but only for the villagers. Originally part of a religious ritual, cockfights are now banned by the Indonesian government, because, as cultural anthropologist Clifford Geertz explains, they are associated with gambling and seem “primitive, backward, and unprogressive,” a huge embarrassment to a modern country’s image. 6 Geertz studied the cultural significance of this all-male event, analyzed the cock’s symbolic male power, the fight, and the complex mechanism of the historical and cultural contexts of the gambling rules. Several decades later, as we stepped into the outer courtyard of a village temple to watch a cockfight, I felt the images in Geertz’s writings had come alive. This experience, another level of bali-balihan, allowed us to understand what the official Balinese tourist agency would not want the tourists to see.

From Balih-Balihan to Bebali

Progressing to the next level of exploration, we joined the villagers to observe an important ritual, Ngaben, a cremation ceremony involving the collective resources of many families. “The most expensive ritual to enact in Balinese society,” this ceremony is rarely changed because of the Balinese desire “to correctly perform the ritual according to tradition and religious teachings . . . to honor and aid the dead.” 7 It is neither entertainment nor “a staged” performing art like kecak. But the extravagant procedure that involves countless individuals making offerings, playing music, and carrying fancy high towers in a long procession has attracted many tourists. Our participation in the ceremony can be described metaphorically as bebali because we watched the spectacle that the village organized to mark the end of the deceased’s physical life properly. Invited by our family friends, we witnessed the funeral of a local priest who had to be cremated within seven days of his death. Informed that this was a formal ritual, we had to put on our traditional outfits, pakaian adat(temple clothes). We joined the procession accompanied by gamelan angklung, typical funeral music, and followed the tower, a temporary housing of the body and the soul, in the procession. We walked with the villagers to the cremation ground where we witnessed the ceremony.

The puzzling religious symbolism was explained by a village elder, the head of the sanggar. The cremation of the body, consisting of the same five elements as the universe—earth, fire, water, air, and ether—releases the soul; the scattering of the ashes in water completes this release and purification by returning the five elements to the universe. To outsiders, this last step seems to have completed the funeral process, but we were told that the soul still had to return to the family temple to join the ancestors. So we acquired essential knowledge with the help of the culture bearers in the village, not only about this ceremony itself but also about its cosmological principles to which the Balinese strictly adhere to maintain a well-balanced harmony between the visible and the invisible.

With many such invitations from our Balinese family and the village, we continued to push the cultural boundaries to other levels, where we shared many more of their experiences and knowledge at weddings and temple festivals. These experiences collectively helped us understand the role of the individual in the highly collaborative structure of Balinese society. A communal lifestyle that values the group above the individual and is still practiced by contemporary Balinese society was demonstrated to us especially on ceremonial occasions that require the intensive work of the community. 8 By observing all these activities and sometimes even participating in a few of them, we were accepted as part of the family and the community, and were proud of being allowed to do gotong royong (communal work) with them. Such acceptance psychologically enabled us to go to an even further level of “bebali,” one that transformed us from observers into participants. Instead of observing the entertainment, we became the entertainers.

Beyond Bebali?

By practicing for an average of six hours daily for fifteen days for our gamelan and dance performance at a temple festival, we learned the intimate connection between these arts and the spiritual realm. Using the traditional oral approach, we learned to play the gamelan angklung, the slendro -derived (four-tone musical pentatonic scale) gamelan that accompanies temple festivals and processions. One phrase after another, mistake after mistake, we repeated the melodies until we had memorized everything. This oral tradition, how Balinese typically learn music, not only sharpened our aural skills but also helped us understand the intimate relationship between music and the other performing arts, dance, and drama. To the Balinese, music is alive only when it is connected with the human soul and spirits; this is the first lesson we learned, the most elementary level of performance in Balinese tradition. By practicing tirelessly to master the music and the dance, we improved our skills. By comprehending the cultural significance of the music through which we enriched the drama of the dance, we learned their religious purposes and social functions, and all the expected etiquette. Disciplined and concentrating, we mastered the program for the performance and looked forward to an exciting spiritual experience of aesthetic enjoyment. On the day of our performance, along with other musicians, dancers, and the village crew, we dressed in our pakaian adat and in the inner courtyard knowledgeably participated in a prayer ceremony asking for purification, blessing, and enlightenment. This experience, observed by many tourists from outside the temple, made me realize that we had just become “that which is watched,” pushing our tourists’ boundaries further toward the frontier. An example to illustrate the difference between tourists and ourselves occurred when during the preconcert rehearsal, an American identifying himself as a musician jumped up on the stage and invited himself to play. But I told him it was impossible: he had not studied everything that we had for two weeks to prepare for this performance.

The goal of our program was to help students understand the unique Balinese arts, their social functions, and the intricate balance between Balinese traditions and the encroachment of the modern world. With the villagers, we lived in the banjar, a perfect setting to study Balinese music, dance, and crafts. With the help of the sanggar, we actively participated in several ritual ceremonies and daily offerings, and performed at a temple festival, the cultural experiences inseparable from music making in Bali. Thus, we studied music as culture.

Although culture as a complex whole cannot be easily acquired and quickly internalized by outsiders, an intensive learning experience to study music, dance, and art in an open lab like Bali proved to be effective in helping us fulfill this goal. We soaked up the intrinsic values and institutions of the culture, and by gradually shifting our roles from observers to participants and changing from tourists (those who watch) into entertainers (those who are watched), we were able to share with the local Balinese the important values of their beliefs and customs through our behaviors. By displaying our respect for these values, we earned their trust. And the stronger our mutual trust became, the more we were encouraged to continually push their boundaries and penetrate further frontiers. I know that our changes did not turn us into Balinese; but if asked “how far did we go?” on this trip, I would be very proud to answer, “Far beyond tourism.”

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1. Philip F. McKean, “Cultural Involution: Tourists, Balinese, and the Process of Modernization in an Anthropological Perspective” (PhD dissertation, Brown University, 1973), 1, quoted in Michel Picard, “Cultural Tourism in Bali: Cultural Performances as Tourist Attraction,” Indonesia 49, 38.

2. Peter Dunbar-Hall, “Culture, Tourism and Cultural Tourism: Boundaries and Frontiers in Performances of Balinese Music and Dance, ” in Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader, ed. Jennifer Post (New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2006), 56.

3. I. Wayan Dibia, Taksu: In and Beyond Arts (Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Kanisius Printing, 2012), 10–11.

4. I. Wayan Dibia and Rucina Ballinger, A Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali: Balinese Dance, Drama, and Music(Hong Kong: Tuttle Publishing, 2004).

5. James Clifford, The Predicament of Culture: Twentieth-Century Ethnography, Literature, and Art (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1988), 222, 223.

6. Clifford Geertz, The Interpretation of Cultures (New York: Basic Books, 1973), 414.

7. Frank R. Chappell, Selling of Your Relatives. The Impact of Cultural Tourism on Balinese Ritual Life, 63, accessed May 10, 2016, http://tinyurl.com/jgz7fvp .

8. Clifford Geertz, Local Knowledge: Further Essays in Interpretive Anthropology (New York: Basic Books, 1983), 167–234.

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Higher Education and Belief Systems in the Asia Pacific Region pp 85–100 Cite as

Reinventing and Promoting Traditional Cultures and Values in Bali: A Critical Review of the Government Role in Education and Cultural Exchange

• Esther Wing Chit Mok 22  
• First Online: 05 June 2019

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Part of the book series: Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((EDAP,volume 49))

According to Chua Soo Pong, traditional Southeast Asian performing arts such as Subli in the Philippines, Chinese opera in Singapore, mak yong in Malaysia, wayang purwa in Java and lakhon chatri in Thailand, all demonstrate that theatrical events or rituals with music and dance elements have long served a variety of social, religious or political purposes. Recognising that each Southeast Asian country uses performing arts in its own agenda and priority, the performing arts has been used as a communication tool to reinforce certain social, religious or political ideals. The theatre, as Craig A. Lockard suggested, had long been an integral part of Southeast Asian cultures. More specifically, cultural identity and the performing arts share an interrelationship in the shaping and building of cultures in Southeast Asia. For many centuries, the Southeast Asian theatres have functioned as a channel for communication to reach the largely illiterate populations; till date it is still very much used as a communication tool to both literate and illiterate. Thus, not only can Southeast Asian performing arts be seen as an active, advocate voice that can build, strengthen and reinforce society’s belief system. It is also a passive, narrative voice that reflects and depicts the journey of the cultural identity of a nation. This chapter is set out against the wider social and cultural background to examine how higher education institutions promote and preserve traditional values, especially religious beliefs through Balinese traditional theatre. More specifically, this chapter discusses how local and international institutions promote the culture and belief systems of Bali, Indonesia. It will also examine the curriculums and strategies adopted by these institutions in promoting and preserving of Balinese traditional theatre. Based upon intensive literature review, cultural policy and survey of websites materials on existing educational programs, this chapter offers a systematic analysis of the relationship between cultural value formation and institutional response.

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Mok, E.W.C. (2019). Reinventing and Promoting Traditional Cultures and Values in Bali: A Critical Review of the Government Role in Education and Cultural Exchange. In: Jun, A., Collins, C. (eds) Higher Education and Belief Systems in the Asia Pacific Region. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 49. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6532-4_8

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CNA Insider

Not quite the Bali it used to be? This is what overtourism is doing to the island

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As travellers flock to the island possibly in record numbers this year, the programme Insight explores what lies behind the locals’ love-hate relationship with tourism and what can be done to stem the feelings of discontent.

The traditional village of Penglipuran in the east of Bali now attracts thousands of people a day.

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Derrick A Paulo

Lewa pardomuan.

BALI: The resort island of Bali has been called by many names, from the Island of Gods to the Morning of the World. To many, it is simply paradise.

But its free and easy atmosphere may not be quite what it was. In February, the local government launched a new tourism police unit to deal with problematic foreign and domestic tourists.

It has handled drunk tourists and even those who beg for money.

“They must’ve been running out of resources and then turned to begging. There are cases like that,” said Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, the head of Bali’s Civil Service Police Unit.

“Sometimes there are locals who disturb tourists at places of interest. Basically, we remind everybody to create a conducive atmosphere for all tourists.”

More than 70 tourism police officers have been deployed in popular districts, such as Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta.

Part of their job is also to ensure that tourists dress appropriately — for example, by wearing sashes provided — in the temples of Bali, the only Hindu enclave in Indonesia.

“Because of their ignorance, they don’t follow the rules when entering sacred places,” said Dharmadi.

In this slice of paradise, discontent is brewing. Last May, Bali’s then governor, Wayan Koster, proposed a cap on visitor numbers, citing misbehaving tourists as the reason.

Although the proposal did not materialise, the island continues to grapple with its status as Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination.

Last year, Bali deported 340 foreigners, up from 188 in 2022, mainly from Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Their violations included overstaying, working illegally and exposing themselves in sacred places.

In December, after a video of a payment dispute in a beauty salon went viral, two female tourists — an American and a Bermudian — were arrested for allegedly attacking salon staff, then deported in February, according to local police.

Earlier this year, police arrested three Mexicans for an alleged robbery that left a Turkish tourist wounded.

As travellers flock back to Bali after the pandemic, possibly in record numbers this year, the problem of overtourism has become more apparent than ever.

Related stories:

Indonesia’s Bali sees higher number of foreigners deported in 2023 than the year before

Visiting Bali soon? The resort island has issued a list of dos and don'ts for tourists

Still, Bali wants to have more visitors to make up for lost time, and lost tourism receipts, when the pandemic laid waste to its economy. In 2021, only 51 foreign tourists visited the island, compared with 6.3 million in 2019.

Last year, that number was close to 5.3 million, exceeding the target of 4.5 million. This year, Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Sandiaga Uno, has raised the benchmark to seven million, cited Bali tourism chief Tjok Bagus Pemayun.

“That’s quite high,” Tjok told the programme Insight . “Hopefully, we can reach the target because many airlines have added flights to Bali.”

CONCRETE CANGGU

The influx of tourists is not just giving rise to occurrences of misbehaviour, however. It is putting a strain on resources and tarnishing Bali’s image because of rampant development, overcrowding and gridlock.

WATCH: Bali’s love-hate relationship with tourism on Indonesian island paradise (46:24)

Bali made headlines in December when a traffic jam on a toll road forced people to walk up to four kilometres to the airport. There are also constant jams on roads leading to places of interest.

With a population of 4.5 million, how many tourists can the island accommodate, questioned Nyoman Sukma Arida, a vice dean of the tourism faculty at Bali’s Udayana University.

“Do we have enough land and water supply? Tourists need food and so on,” he said.

So far, things are left in a grey area, resulting in the influx of hotels, restaurants and so on. Permits are granted without questioning whether Bali has reached … overcapacity.”

The latest neighbourhood caught in a developmental dilemma is Canggu, after decades of tourist development spreading north from Kuta beach to Legian, then Seminyak.

There are now concrete buildings on every street in Canggu. Developers are attracted by its relatively cheap land prices. But the area is “suffering from massive traffic jams”, said Sukma, because “there’s no master plan”.

Locals such as traditional community chief Made Kamajaya, who was born and raised in Canggu, have a love-hate relationship with tourism.

“The local people’s economy is getting better,” he said. “(But) our surroundings have changed. You’re seeing destruction behind your house, in front of your house. … We’re dealing with uncontrolled development, of which almost 90 per cent disregards the environment.

“There’s no desire to plant trees. Waste management is non-existent.”

He is worried that “all the unregulated infrastructure projects will threaten tourism itself”.

WORLD HERITAGE SITE AT RISK

Even the rice terraces of Jatiluwih in central Bali — a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the reasons tourists visit the island — are at risk of urban encroachment.

“There are always new developments,” said tour guide Wayan Kaung. “The process is slow. Usually, it starts with a small hut selling coconuts, and slowly it turns into a restaurant.”

He brings tourists to Jatiluwih at least four times a week. Foreigners pay 50,000 rupiah (S$4.20) as an entrance fee, while Indonesians pay 15,000 rupiah.

“This is valid because I’ve seen rice field destruction near my home. There are many housing complexes, and the regulation of land conversion is unclear. So we must pay to protect something like this,” he said.

But it does not protect the rice fields completely. A 2018 report from the Amsterdam-based non-profit Transnational Institute estimated that Bali was losing 1,000 hectares (1,400 football fields) of agricultural land to development every year in the preceding 15 years.

According to a recent study by Udayana University agriculture professor Wayan Windia, the island is experiencing a deficit of 100,000 tonnes of rice per year.

As much as 65 per cent of Bali’s groundwater goes to the tourism industry, drying up more than half of the island’s rivers and threatening sites such as Jatiluwih.

For some farmers, it is more lucrative to sell their land to developers than to eke a living in agriculture.

“So long as there’s a good view, there’ll be an opportunity to build villas,” said Kaung. “If one person sells his land for villa construction, others will jump on the bandwagon because of the access road.”

Some of the remaining farmers supplement their incomes by making handicrafts.

“Because of the opportunities offered by tourism, villagers work hard to make handicrafts. But they get only a small amount of money. It isn’t fair. That’s what we want to address,” said Agung Alit, the founder of Mitra Bali.

His social enterprise buys and sells handicrafts from these Balinese artisans.

“We invite the craftsmen to work together. We give a 50 per cent down payment, then when the goods arrive here, we check them, we select and pay cash,” he said.

The irony of the situation — that Bali is so dependent on the tourism said to be destroying the island — is not lost on him. “Tourism is ingrained in Bali,” he noted. “And it’ll be a challenge changing it.”

INDIGENOUS AND CULTURAL CONCERNS

Elsewhere, towards the north of Bali, Lake Tamblingan is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. It was formed from an ancient caldera, surrounded by a rainforest called Alas Mertajati.

The lake and the forest help to protect water resources for the indigenous communities, who are mostly farmers. They grow coffee, oranges and vegetables.

The forest has a nature tourism zone, which allows investors, and a designated protected zone. “We’ve seen illegal logging, which affected the forest,” said indigenous leader Putu Ardana. “We don’t want that.”

He is working with the locals to protect the forest. They are lobbying the government to return stewardship of the forest to the villagers. To do so, the government must first recognise the indigenous tribes’ ancestral rights to the land.

Putu has some “harsh” criticism, however, of the government and of investors. “The government treats Bali like lucrative merchandise. Investors offer funds, and the government offers regulations, permits and so on,” he said.

“It shouldn’t be the concept of selling (but of) preserving.”

Culturally, tourism money and interest over the years meant more funds for the upkeep of temples and to hold traditional ceremonies. But some people question whether the pageantry loses its authenticity when put on for a show.

Rucina Ballinger, co-author of the book Balinese Dance, Drama and Music, calls it “cultural degradation” when there is “very little understanding” on tourists’ part.

“(On) the Balinese side, it’s when … they tell (visitors) to go and see these tourist performances, as opposed to ‘go to a warung — a little food stall — sit down, talk to the locals, have a cup of coffee and learn about their life,’” she said.

“Tourists are coming, and they’re …  taking pictures. It’s an Instagram culture, it’s ‘let’s go to the beautiful spot’. And now all of these places are making Instagram spots for the tourists. And some people come here just to do that.”

For tourism consultant Lenny Pande, art, culture, tradition and the environment are the four pillars of tourism and are important “because those pillars exist in Hinduism in Bali”.

But she, too, has observed that “the preservation of those pillars is slightly diminishing” because of overdevelopment.

ENVISAGING A BETTER FUTURE

As concern over the impact of overtourism grows, the government has promised a more sustainable future for Bali.

Last July, outgoing governor Koster issued new guidelines on Bali’s development for the next 100 years (2025 to 2125), which cover the protection of nature, culture and the Balinese people.

For the first time, the government acknowledged the impact of mass tourism on Bali, citing land conversion, violations of sacred places, environmental damage and illegal businesses and activities as examples.

“One of the concerns is that Bali is being sold as a cheap tourist destination. Hopefully, we can minimise that so we can do better for Bali in future,” said Tjok from the local tourism authority.

“We want to have tourists who … respect Balinese culture. Secondly, we want tourists who are willing to stay longer. Hopefully, they’ll also spend more money.”

Since Feb 14, the government has levied a tourist tax of 150,000 rupiah. The revenue collected is meant to preserve Bali’s cultural heritage and protect its environment.

“The environment is our big house. The guidance from the top is to use the levy to deal with the waste problem,” said Tjok.

As for traffic management, the measures being taken include the construction of new underpasses. There are also plans for a Light Rail Transit system.

The forces of tourism may prove too strong, however, for some government plans.

In January, a proposed entertainment tax of up to 75 per cent met with fierce resistance in the tourism industry. The steep tax has since been put on hold.

Last May, Koster announced a ban on tourist activities on all 22 of Bali’s sacred mountains, blaming tourist misbehaviour. But activities continued, and the ban is as good as axed.

With the lure of tourist dollars hard to resist for many, it could be up to local communities to preserve their way of life.

In the village of Penglipuran, in the east of Bali, a customary law forbids villagers to sell their land to outsiders. The traditional village is popular among Indonesian tourists, who pay an entry fee of 25,000 rupiah per person.

Tourists are allowed to enter family compounds to look around and buy snacks and souvenirs, so it can be intrusive.

But the money collected from visitors — up to 5,000 a day — has proven useful in protecting the culture and livelihood of the 1,100-plus villagers. During the pandemic, around 3 billion rupiah was distributed among them.

Deputy village chief Nyoman Setiawan is grateful that their culture is “still being upheld”. He said: “So long as our customs are strong, we’re convinced what happens to places like Denpasar, Kuta and Canggu won’t happen to us.”

Indonesia’s tourism ministry says the future of Bali lies in such small-scale, sustainable initiatives.

There is still a need, however, for authorities to first calculate “the carrying capacity of each zone and Bali as an island”, stressed Sukma the academic.

“Next, they must empower the local communities to be involved in controlling what happens in their areas,” he said. “The problem is the communities are … involved only when problems arise.”

As the post-pandemic revival of tourism continues at full steam for now, with every gridlocked motorway, every piece of rubbish thrown in the sea and every paddy field that disappears, a bit more of paradise is lost for some.

“Bali is doomed,” said Ballinger, who is married to a Balinese and has two sons and three grandchildren. “There’s no way that these concrete jungles can be turned back into rice fields … or into something that’s Balinese.”

With the growing attention on overtourism, however, some others see a chance for change.

“If we respect and preserve our culture, other people will be respectful,” said Sukma. “Perhaps it’s the Balinese who are complacent. This is my reflection.”

Watch this episode of Insight here . The programme airs on Thursdays at 9pm.

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