{"id":1160,"date":"2015-10-27T09:30:45","date_gmt":"2015-10-27T13:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/indonesian\/?p=1160"},"modified":"2015-10-26T07:51:30","modified_gmt":"2015-10-26T11:51:30","slug":"ubud-the-cultural-heart-of-bali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/indonesian\/ubud-the-cultural-heart-of-bali\/","title":{"rendered":"Ubud – The Cultural Heart of Bali"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Bali is famous mostly for its beaches, there’s a lot more to the Island of the Gods than just sun and sand. For those willing to get out of their beach chair for a couple of days, there’s a totally different side to the island waiting to be explored. One of the most popular places in Bali outside of the touristy beach areas is Ubud, a town considered to be the cultural heart of the island. The name comes from the Balinese word for medicine (ubad), as it was once an important source of medicinal herbs and plants. Whereas Kuta is known for its beaches and wild nightlife, Ubud is a place for art, yoga, and nature. If you get sick of persistent touts and drunken surfer dudes, take a few days to explore Ubud and its surroundings. Just minutes away from terraced rice fields, rivers, and some of Bali’s best temples, there’s enough to do in Ubud to warrant staying a few days. Here’s a brief rundown of what you should experience when visiting this cultural Balinese town:<\/p>\n

Soak up the Culture<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>

A common sight in Ubud.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sick of seeing bros in Bintang beer tank tops? Fed up with crappy music in the beachside bars? Get up to Ubud and soak up the local culture, and you’ll finally feel like you’re really in Bali. Sure, the town has gotten quite touristy in recent years – thanks a lot, “Eat, Pray, Love” – but Ubud has managed to retain a lot of its cultural identity. Walk up the street, and chances are you’ll see a procession of Balinese women headed to the temple. Ceremonies are a common occurrence, so don’t be surprised if you encounter one while here. Should you want to enter the temple, make sure you do so with a local and dress appropriately. Otherwise, just sit on the side of the road and watch it from afar.<\/p>\n

\"Ceremony<\/a>

Ceremony night in Ubud.<\/p><\/div>\n

Art Museums<\/h2>\n
\"Puri<\/a>

Puri Lukisan<\/p><\/div>\n

Art lovers will enjoy Ubud, as there are a handful of museums scattered across the town. Puri Lukisan is located just a few steps from the palace, and it’s full of great Balinese paintings, woodcarvings, and more. There are also workshops here from time to time,\u00a0so check the schedule if interested.<\/p>\n

\"Blanco<\/a>

Blanco Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

Another great choice is the Blanco Museum – home to the works of Italian painter Don Antonio Blanco. His art is dedicated to the female form, so you can probably imagine what kind of paintings you’ll see here. The building itself is quite impressive, and there are great views available from the restaurant on site.<\/p>\n

Monkey Business<\/h2>\n
\"Monkeys!\"<\/a>

Monkeys!<\/p><\/div>\n

The most popular attraction in Ubud is definitely the Monkey Forest. Escape the crowded streets and enjoy a stroll through the cool shade of the forest, but watch out for those naughty monkeys! The forest is home to hundreds of crab-eating macaques, who are also known as Balinese long-tail monkeys. They’re friendly and used to people for the most part; just don’t be aggressive and keep a tight grip on things like sunglasses – they’re known to snatch loose items from time to time.<\/p>\n