Cultural heritage tours in Ubud, Bali is one of the interesting agendas for tourists. In Ubud, we can easily get close to the locals and explore Balinese culture. Then what are the cultural tours that you can expect while in Ubud, see our article further.
8 Cultural Tours In Ubud
As someone who has been to Ubud, I like the calm atmosphere with extraordinary natural scenery. The culture in Ubud is also very well developed so now many tourists are interested in cultural tours in Ubud. From my experience traveling to Ubud, here are some cultural heritage tours in Ubud, Bali:
1. ‘Elephant Cave’,
The historical and spiritual value of “Gua Gajah” is very strong. Many ancient reliefs and statues can be found here. The reliefs and statues depict various mythological scenes based on Hindu-Buddhist teachings, making it very interesting for us to understand. Besides being called Gua Gajah, this cave is also called Gua Ganesha.
This artificial cave has quite a unique architecture. You can also find the Ganesha statue at the entrance area as a unique icon of this place. In the Gajah Cave area, there is also a sacred pond. This pool is used for cleansing rituals, and a photo spot with the background of this pool is very unique.
2. ‘Visesa Village’
From cave to the idyllic village of Ubud. You can enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of this village. If you want to avoid the busy city, it is highly recommended to come to this place. The silence and natural conditions in Visesa Village feel very comfortable for tourists.
Although this is a village, you can find resorts too that can facilitate your travel needs. At Visesa Village, you can join local activities including farming, and taking care of farm animals.
You don’t need to worry about accommodation, Visesa Village provides villas, suites, and even private pools. The difference from other places is that the accommodation in Visesa Village still maintains the concept of ancient architecture.
3. ‘Puri Saren Agung’
Some cultural heritage tours in Ubud, Bali feature the palaces or residences of the former royalty of Ubud. One of them is Puri Saren Agung which is now a cultural center in Ubud. Tourists can come to the museum which has an array of Balinese art collections including sculptures, paintings, and other art.
At Puri Saren Agung, there are also Balinese dance performances with an open stage to add to your knowledge. Make sure you wear polite clothes and obey every rule that applies in this place.
4. ‘Tirta Empul’
Tirta Empul is a sacred bathing place, locals believe that it has spiritual benefits and healing powers. You can find a soothing pool with several showers.
Some people who come, want to perform rituals and ‘cleansing’. They believe that the water flowing there can remove negative energy from their bodies. Make sure you understand the visiting instructions and wear appropriate clothing.
5. Neka Art Museum
In Ubud, this museum is very famous, Suteja Neka is the man behind the establishment of this museum. He is a collector of Balinese art and his collection is very diverse including sculptures, paintings, and more. You can find both contemporary art, traditional art, and modern art.
Some of the paintings you’ll find here depict Balinese beliefs, mythology, and daily life. Make sure not to touch or damage the artwork in this museum. Don’t forget to keep it clean during your visit too.
6. ‘Saraswati Temple’
In the city center, you can visit Saraswati Temple. As the name suggests, this temple was built for a Goddess named Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of art, wisdom, and knowledge based on Hinduism.
Saraswati Temple has a beautiful garden and you can find a pond with beautiful lotus plants on the surface. The architecture of Saraswati Temple is also beautiful as a backdrop for your photos. Between the ponds, there is a bridge for us to come to the main area.
Saraswati Temple is an active cultural venue, with concerts and dance performances at night. Thanks to these performances, we can experience the extraordinary beauty of the temple. During the performance, we need to be polite and avoid things that could disrupt the performance.
7. Blanco Museum
Some of the cultural heritage tours in Ubud, Bali are popular museum tours. Besides the Neka Art Museum, you can also visit the Blanco Museum. The founder of this museum is Antonio Blanco, he was a Spanish artist who lived in Bali and had a large art collection.
Not only does the museum showcase his paintings, but it also features works from local Balinese artists. The architecture of the museum is also stunning and unique. You can find artworks depicting Balinese life in the form of sculptures and paintings.
If you want an in-depth understanding of Balinese culture, then the Blanco Museum is one of the cultural heritage tours in Ubud, Bali you must visit.
8. Monkey Forest
Although this is a protected forest area in Ubud, Monkey Forest is a sacred place. You can find Hindu temples in this protected forest area. Monkey Forest is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ubud.
So, it would be a shame if you didn’t set foot in this place. Upon arrival at Monkey Forest, you will immediately feel the air is very cool and free from pollution like downtown Bali. The tall green trees can provide healthy and fresh air to visitors.
Our advice is that you come after 2 pm, why? Around that time, the monkeys are full. If the monkeys are still quite hungry, they will usually be aggressive.
You can come anytime but you need to be extra vigilant especially if you have food in your hand or bag. There are hundreds of monkeys living here and there are also many visitors to the Monkey Forest. So, you might run into many other tourists in the Monkey Forest.
Those are some of the tourist attractions in Ubud that you can visit to gain insight and experience Balinese culture. Our tip for cultural heritage tours in Ubud, Bali is to respect the location’s culture and traditions. Obey every rule that applies in each place and wear polite clothes.