TABANAN REGENCY


Capital - Tabanan
Highest Peak - Mt. Batukau - 2'276 metres above sea level
Location: South-western Bali
Important phone numbers:
Direct Enquiries - 108
Tabanan Tourist Office Tlp: 811602
(Address - Jl. Gunung Agung, Tabanan.)

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

Tabanan - District Capital of Tabanan - Located on the south eastern part of the Regency. A very large, clean town with wide-open streets. The Subak Museum dedicated to rice cultivation, and the Gedong Marya theatre, dedicated to the famous dancer Mario, are the only real tourist sites in Tabanan, however the rest of this fertile region has many diverse attractions.

Alas Kedaton Temple - Near the village of Kukuh, an ancient temple is located in this12 hectare forest that houses both monkeys and large bats.

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

Batukaru - With the highest peak at 2'276 metres above sea level, this volcanic massif has three small nature reserves on and around the three smallest peaks, Lesung, Tapak and Pohen.

Bratan Lake - Japanese caves on the west shore and a pleasure park on the southern shore of the lake and the cool mountain air make this a pleasant place to spend a day. Various water sports are available at the pleasure-park.

Botanical Gardens - Raya Eka Karya Gardens - With a land area of 129.2 hectares the Botanical Gardens maintains up to 650 species of tree and approximately 450 species of orchid.

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

Jatiluwih - Famous for the view over endless rice terraces stretching as far as the eye can see. Here, at 850 metres above sea level, temperatures are cooler.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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