Jati Luih and Bedugul Tour (Recommended !)
Visit Taman Ayun, one of the largest national temple in Bali. Located in Mengwi, eighteen kilometers northwest of Denpasar city, this small village has a glittering history as the capital of a powerful 17th century kingdom and is the site of an important temple from that era. The once great realm of Mengwi arose with the weakening of Gelgel in east Bali around 1650. The most splendid remainder from Mengwi's former glory is indisputably the Pura Taman Ayun. This is probably the largest existing Balinese house temple, built in the middle of the 18th century by Mengwi's greatest king. The temple is surrounded by a wide moat that gives impression of a sanctuary in the middle of a pond. The waters are a symbolic place of contact with the divine through celestial nymphs who bath in the pond. It is a state temple to worship the ancestors of the royal dynasty of Mengwi kingdom.
Afterward, see the monkey forest of Alas Kedaton and Bedugul by the lakeside of Lake Bratan, where Ulun Danu Temple stands. Lunch is served at the famous Pacung Hotel and Restaurant, one of the highest points, the best place to view gorgeous rice terraces while enjoying meal at Pacung Restaurant. Drive back to hotel passing over Jatiluwih's rice terraces along the way, is a small mountain village that's located on the feet of mount Batukaru. Jatiluwih means a "truly marvelous". It has the most spectacular rice terrace view on the island. It is really a Paradise for photography. |