Ubud has been a cultural center of Bali. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists’ workshops and galleries.
Ubud especially popular among foreign tourists because of its location is located between the fields and forests that makes nature so beautiful. In addition Ubud is known for arts and culture that develops very rapidly and move forward. There are many art galleries, and arenas of music and dance performances are held alternately every night in all corners of the village.
Ubud has many tourism destination, as follows :
Rudana Museum and Rudana Fine Art Gallery
Museum Rudana is an art museum located in Ubud, Bali, founded by Nyoman Rudana, a collector of paintings which also sits as a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), representing the province of Bali in 2009 and 2004 period was inaugurated by President Soeharto on December 26, 1995. The museum holds more than 400 paintings and sculpture works by artists, both from Bali, outside Bali, artists and foreign artists that make Bali as a place to work. Being in a complex, stand Rudana Fine Art Gallery, founded in 1978 and was the forerunner to the establishment Museum Rudana.
Puri Lukisan Museum
Puri Lukisan Museum is the first art museum, which is managed by the private sector, in Bali. Initiated by Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati, I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, and foreign artists who settled in Ubud, Rudolf Bonnet. Standing on January 31, 1956 under the auspices of the Foundation Ratna Warta, and officially opened by Minister of Education and Culture, Muhammad Yamin.
In this museum you can enjoy the development of art in Ubud, both painting and sculpture. Some works of foreign artists who work in Ubud such as: Rudolf Bonnet, Walter Spies, Arie Smit and the local maestros like I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, I Gusti Made Deblog, Ida Bagus Made and others. This also includes works of art at the time of the Pita Maha.
Puri Agung Ubud
Puri Agung Ubud is a center of arts and culture, which was held in front of the castle. Puri Ubud still has a spatial structure and the building is maintained as the original. On the front page, after the gate, there is an area called the shelf Saji. Here are held once a week performing arts of dance, for tourists. And every day, carried out the exercise of gamelan music from various arts groups existing in Ubud. All activities are increasingly thicken the atmosphere of Ubud art as an art-minded village.
Wanara Wana
Wanara Wana or Monkey Forest, (better known as the Monkey Forest) is a forest area located in Ubud area, precisely into the traditional village area Padangtegal. In this forest there is a flock of hundreds of monkeys, who have inhabited this region for hundreds of years. In this area there are also Padangtegal Pura Dalem, which was founded in the early 20th century. The temple has the architecture and ornaments of ancient and highly artistic.
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Bedulu village near Gianyar.
The centerpiece here is a cave dating back to the ninth century, the entrance to which is an ornately carved demon’s mouth. Inside are some fragmentary lingam and yoni statues, as well as a statue of Ganesha. Large, carved guards stand around pools near the entrance, and a little path leads to a waterfall, rice fields, and some Buddhist stupa fragments. Some parts of the Goa Gajah complex were not excavated until the 1950s. Nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rp 6,000.
Gunung Kawi (Poet Mountain), Tampaksiring (18 km northeast from Ubud). 7AM-5PM daily. Dating from the eleventh century, this is presumed to be the burial complex of King Anak Wungsu and his many wives. Reached by climbing down 371 steps, the location at the bottom of a steep valley lined with paddy fields, is quite stunning. The smaller complex on the south side of the river is presumed to have been built for the King’s wives, while the larger complex is thought to have been the residence of the King himself, and perhaps his concubines. You must take off your shoes before entering into the central pura complex. About one km downstream there are further tomb cloisters. On the way back up, take a break at Cafe Kawi which has cold drinks for Rp 10,000 and up, and fresh breezes for free. Rp 6,000 including sarong and sash rental.
Pura Kehen (Kehen Temple), Jl Sriwijaya, Bangli (just north of Bangli town centre, which itself is about 30 minutes north east from Ubud). 8AM-5PM daily. One of the most attractive temples in the whole of Bali, and as it is slightly off the beaten path, one which receives relatively few visitors. The temple was founded in 1206, and has an especially impressive 11-tiered meru in the inner courtyard. When you visit here take a little extra time to look around Bangli. It is a quiet and attractive market town. Rp 6,000.
Puri Saren Agung (Royal Palace, Water Palace), (across Jl Raya Ubud from Ubud Market). 9AM-5PM daily. This was the palace of the kings of Ubud until the 1940s, and some royal descendants live there to this day. Parts of the complex are off limits to the public, but entry to the rest is free, and this is Ubud’s best setting for dance performances (see Do).
Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring (20 km northeast from Ubud). 8AM-6PM daily. One of the holiest temples in Bali built around hot springs that still bubble in the central courtyard. The Balinese come here to bathe and purify themselves physically and spiritually, and during Galungan, the sacred barong masks are bathed here. The complex dates to 960, but the present buildings are largely modern reconstructions. Rp 6,000.
Yeh Pulu, Banjar Batulumbang, Bedulu nr Gianyar (turn off the Ubud to Gianyar main road about 400 metres east of the entrance to the Goa Gajah complex. Drive through Banjar Batulumbang until the road comes to an end. From here walk down the track). 7AM-6PM daily. This complex of rock carvings is close to Goa Gajah but far less well known. The carvings date from the fourteenth or fifteenth century, and are set in a very attractive rice field. You can reach Yeh Pulu on foot through the rice fields from Goa Gajah, but you will definitely need a guide for the 45 minute walk as there is no path to speak of. In addition to the carvings, there is a holy well here, and the attendant priest will be happy to bless you with the well water. Temple dress code applies. This is a much underrated and under-visited site, and is highly recommended. Rp 6,000.
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), Jl Pengosekan, ? +62 361 975742 (info@armamuseum.com), 9AM-5PM daily. Showcases works by well known Balinese artists, as well as international artists who made Bali their home such as Walter Spies, Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, Rudolph Bonnet and Arie Smit. The only painting in Bali by renowned Javanese artist Radan Saleh is exhibited here. They also run workshops for thirteen different aspects of Balinese art and culture. Rp 25,000.
Blanco Renaissance Museum, Jl Raya Campuhan, ? +62 361 975502, 9AM-6PM daily. Before he passed away in 1999, Spanish artist Antonio Blanco was an absolute fixture on the Ubud art scene. His former home is now a museum showcasing his sometimes bizarre but always interesting work. Think Salvador Dali transplanted to Asia. In the garden you can take pictures of the exotic birds flying around. Rp 60,000.
Rafting
In the western area of Ubud, there is Tukad (Kali) Ayung. At this river many tourist activities, among which is the white water rafting and kayaking. There are several tourist services that offer this service. In addition tourist, along the cliffs Tukad Ayung also has an enchanting natural scenery, and there are dozens of hotels.
Neka Art Museum, Jl Raya Campuhan, Kedewatan, ? +62 361 975074 (info@museumneka.com), This museum houses perhaps the most important art collection in the whole of Bali. Six pavilions house the various collections which include dedicated rooms for artists Arie Smit and I Gusti Nyoman Lempad. Rp 40,000.
Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women, Jl Sriwedari 2B, ? +62 361 975485, This gallery features art only by women; “Seni” is Indonesian for art and “Wati” means women