Bangli, Bali

Bangli is one of the oldest towns in Bali. Between the 14th and 19th century, it was the site of a royal court. The tidy, well-ordered town is located in the hills on the way up Gunung Batur, and enjoys cool mountain air.

Bangli has a couple of temples that are worth visiting. Pura Kehen is a 12th century temple. It is located on eight terraces on the hillside. In its courtyard is a big banyan tree. The drum tower is located high on the branches of the banyan tree. In the inner sanctuary is the padmasana shrine with a multi-tiered meru roofing.

Another temple that you should visit in Bangli is Pura Penyimpenan. Its name means "Temple of Safekeeping," for it contains three ancient bronze inscriptions which imply that the site was already holy long before the temple was built there.

There is also a temple of the dead in Bangli. Called Pura Dalem Pengungekan, it has walls with relief showing heaven and hell - the latter imaginatively grim.

About 4 km to the west of Bangli is Bukit Demulih, a hill from which you can get very nice views of Gunung Agung. On clear days you can see as far as Nusa Penida and Sanur.

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