Famous for its traditional barong dancing and stone carving, the village of Batubulan can be found on the outskirts of Denpasar and is a popular daytrip destination with visitors who are interesting in local art and culture.
The statues here are carved from sandstone and are carefully created following traditional techniques. They take a number of different forms, from deities to animals and rural scenes and come in various sizes. Visitors to Batubulan are able to watch these beautiful images being created, making them excellent souvenirs and mementos as well as perfect presents for friends back home.
Barong dances are held in Batubulan from 09:00 to 10:30 each day and draw visitors from all over Bali and beyond. This traditional dance form consists of five stages, namely the Puseh Temple Stage, the Tegal Tamu Stage, the Denjalan Stage, the Sahadewa Stage and finally the Sila Budaya Stage.
Those who travel to Batubulan between 18:00 and 19:00 will be able to witness the wonder of the Kecak Dance, a colourful dance performance intended to ward off evil spirits and keep the villagers safe while they sleep.
A number of tour companies in Denpasar offer to take visitors to the village of Batubulan for a small fee. However, the village is located just eight kilometers from the city, and hiking through the countryside in the early morning is a richly rewarding experience. Another great way to get here is by hiring a bicycle in Depasr and simply cycling through the countryside, taking the time to pause along the way to take in rural scenes of people working in the rice fields.
Need to Know
- What is it? a charming traditional village in Bali
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day, daily
- Entrance fees: no entry charge
- Where: On the outskirts of the Balinese city of Denpasar
- How to get there: trek of take a taxi from Denpasar (10 to 40 minutes)